The Wedgwood Pottery Company has been in operation for over 250 years. Founded in 1759 in England by Josiah Wedgwood, the company quickly became known for its high-quality pottery and innovative designs.
In the early years of the company, Josiah Wedgwood was focused on creating new types of pottery that would meet the demands of the changing market. He introduced a variety of new techniques, including the use of transfer printing, which allowed for intricate designs to be applied to pottery quickly and easily.
One of Wedgwood's most famous designs was the Jasperware line, which was introduced in
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the 1770s. This line featured a matte finish and was made in a variety of colours, including blue, green, and lilac. The Jasperware line proved to be incredibly popular and is still produced by Wedgwood to this day.
Over the years, Wedgwood has continued to innovate and introduce new designs. In the 19th century, the company introduced the Fairyland Lustre line, which was known for its whimsical and fantastical designs. Wedgwood also became known for its bone china, which was introduced in the early 20th century.
In addition to its pottery designs, Wedgwood has also been involved in various social causes throughout its history. In the late 18th century, Josiah Wedgwood was a prominent abolitionist and created a medallion featuring an image of a slave in chains with the words "Am I not a man and a brother?" This design became a symbol of the abolitionist movement and was widely circulated.
Wedgwood is known around the world for its high-quality pottery and continues to innovate and introduce new designs. The company has received numerous awards for its designs and is a favourite of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
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Parian is a white unglazed statuary porcelain resembling marble, named after the Greek Island of Paros, which produces a very fine white marble. The Copeland & Garrett factory at Stoke-on-Trent is credited with the introduction of parian ware to Britain. Production of parian ware figures at Copeland commenced about 1841, and some of the figures were based on works by sculptors John Bell, and American Hiram Powers. Sales of parian figures were boosted by special orders from the Art Union of London commencing in 1844, where subscribers paid an annual fee, and in return participated in a ballot to
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receive a copy of an art work.
The increased popularity of parian ware encouraged other factories to begin production of statuary figures, with Minton and Robinson & Leadbetter being the major producers along with Copeland.
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