Wedgwood: Quintessentially English
Filed under: Decor
Wedgwood is a nominee for a Luxist Award for best dishware.
Quintessentially English, Wedgwood has a long tradition of innovation, quality and craftsmanship and its designs are widely acknowledged as timeless, elegant, classic and understated.
The Wedgwood Company was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, who is considered to be the "Father of English Potters". In 1765, Wedgwood developed a unique cream-colored earthenware that so pleased England's Queen Charlotte that she gave her permission for his gracious innovation to be dubbed "Queen's Ware". He put fine earthenware within the reach of all and his success was immediate worldwide.
The most famous of all Josiah Wedgwood's innovations, however, was Jasperware, which was unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, that could be stained blue, green, lilac, yellow or black to provide a suitable background for white classic-inspired reliefs or portraits. To this day, Jasperware is still recognized around the world as the Wedgwood signature collection.
In recent years, the company has established exciting design partnerships with fashion designers, Jasper Conran, Vera Wang and artist Robert Dawson to develop contemporary and stylish ranges that appeal to the younger consumer.
In 1986, the Wedgwood group became and division of WWRD Holding Limited, which also owns such world class brands as Waterford Crystal, Royal Doulton and Royal Albert.
