Wedgwood history

The Wedgwood story began in 1759, when Josiah Wedgwood, aged just twenty-nine, started as an independent potter in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. He began to experiment avidly with clay, exploring its many possibilities. He is today remembered as the “Father of English Potters”. His pioneer spirit, his vigorous design policy, his commitment to exacting standards of quality and his efforts to create affordable luxury products remain the values at the heart of the brand today. Fast forward over 260 years and they’re still producing many of the materials he invented, such as Jasper, Queen’s Ware and Black Basalt. Discover the full story of Wedgwood and their unique history on this page.

Wedgwood is celebrated for its timeless elegance, creating pieces that effortlessly blend classical design with contemporary aesthetics. Each creation is a testament to the brand's commitment to producing enduring and beautiful pieces that stand the test of time.

Wedgwood has been a pioneer in the ceramics industry, introducing innovative techniques and materials. The brand's iconic Jasperware, characterized by its matte finish and classical reliefs, showcases Wedgwood's commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship.

Explore Wedgwood's heritage collections, each telling a unique story and reflecting the artistic and cultural influences of its time. From the timeless Blue Willow pattern to the intricate designs inspired by nature, Wedgwood's collections are a journey through history and artistry.

Elevate your dining experience with Wedgwood's exquisite tableware. Whether it's a formal dinner party or a casual gathering, Wedgwood offers a range of dinner sets, serving dishes, and accessories that add a touch of refinement to any occasion.

Wedgwood frequently collaborates with renowned designers and artists to create limited edition collections. These exclusive pieces combine the brand's heritage with contemporary vision, making them highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

With a global presence, Wedgwood has earned international acclaim for its commitment to quality and design. The brand's creations adorn homes, palaces, and museums around the world, making Wedgwood a symbol of refined taste and luxury.

Wedgwood’s enduring appeal among the world’s Royal Families and Heads of State began with Queen Charlotte, who ordered a set of cream-colored earthenware that pleased her so much that Josiah Wedgwood was granted permission to style himself ‘Potter to Her Majesty’ and call his innovative cream ware ‘Queen’s Ware’. Since the time of Queen Charlotte, Wedgwood collections were to grace the tables of British monarchs and many other illustrious Heads of State, such as in the Vatican, the Kremlin and the White House. It was also the brand of choice for some of the world’s most prestigious hotels. 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.

Here Queen Elizabeth watches the iconic Jasper material during the crafting process. The man in the picture is ornamenting – he is delicately laying the white figures on a Jasper plate. If you take a closer look, you will see vases in the background with the Dancing Hours relief, this is another example of how ornamentation can be applied to create a beautiful and timeless Jasperware piece. Barlaston is still home to our world-renowned Jasper material, which was created by our founder Josiah Wedgwood at the start of the Wedgwood journey all those years ago.

Wedgwood shares a rich history with the world’s Royal families, beginning with Queen Charlotte who ordered Wedgwood creamware, which coined the phrase ‘Queensware’.
Fast forward to 1995, and Wedgwood was granted the Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. A mark of recognition of those who have supplied goods or services to the Royal Households for at least five years.
Over the years Wedgwood has taken pride in commemorating significant Royal occasions, take this delightful example from 1953. Eric Owens modelled this portrait medallion of the Queen, in Jasper material, to commemorate her Coronation.

2019 marked over two centuries since Josiah Wedgwood decided to plant our roots into the clay-rich soil of Stoke-on-Trent, inspiring generations around the world to be creative and colourful when it came to styling their tables and their homes. Steeped in this rich heritage, over 260 wonderful years later Wedgwood continues to be renowned for high-quality and innovative British design, bringing a timeless eclecticism to today’s modern home. Josiah’s legacy lives on at our factory in Barlaston as we continue to craft the highest quality fine bone china dinnerware and tea ware, re-imagining archival patterns and innovating with brand-new colourful designs. We continue to create contemporary collections that make each day that little bit more beautiful.