1960s Wedgwood animal figures designed by John Skeaping

John Rattenbury Skeaping (1901-1908) was born in Essex into an artistic family - his father was a painter and illustrator and his mother was a musician.

He studied at Goldsmith's College, the Central School of Arts & Crafts and the Royal Academy in 1919-20. In 1924 he was awarded the Prix de Rome, a scholarship allowing young artists and the same year married the sculptor Barbara Hepworth. (The marriage was dissolved in 1933.)

John Skeaping's first exhibition at the Royal Academy was in 1922 and in 1926 he produced the first of many sculptures for Wedgwood. In total more... around 10 figures were produced up to the 1940s in cream, basalt, grey and moonstone colours, the most notable of which, from the Australian perspective, was the kangaroo.

In World War II he served in the intelligence services and with the SAS and in 1953 became Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art.

His work with Wedgwood was only a small portion of his extensive career. less...

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 more... 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. less...