Brands

The Wedgwood story begins in 1759 when founder, Josiah Wedgwood I, aged just 29, started as an independent potter in Burslem, England. Fast forward over 260 years later and Wedgwood is still producing many of the materials Josiah invented, such as Jasper, Queen's Ware and Black Basalt.  Jasper, the most famous of Josiah's inventions, first appeared in 1774 after thousands of experiments. An unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, it was made in blue, green, lilac, yellow, black or white; sometimes one piece combined three or more of these colours. Upon these delicately coloured grounds would be applied the classical and contemporary reliefs which are still made today from moulds reproduced from the originals. The iconic light blue jasper gave rise to the expression Wedgwood Blue and remains a recognizable Wedgwood signature worldwide.  Since 1940 the Wedgwood factory in Barlaston, England has combined modern technology with the ancient skills of throwing, modelling and decorating. These precious skills are preserved through a solid apprenticeship program, reintroduced to meet the growing global demand for some of Wedgwood's most exclusive signature pieces. Apprentices train for up to 10 years to become Master Craftspeople.   In 1995, Wedgwood was granted the Royal Warrant, a mark of recognition of those who have supplied goods or services to the Royal Households for at least five years, from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.