Wedgwood (England) Creamware / Queens Ware

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...

Creamware, also known as "Queens Ware" is the cream-coloured English earthenware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s. The invention of creamware was the result of experimentation in order to find a British substitute for imported Chinese porcelain, and the cream colour was considered a fault at the time. The lightweight fine white earthenware with a clean rich yellowish proved ideal for domestic ware.

Royal patronage boosted sales. In 1765 Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III placed an order for a 12 place tea set and allowed Wedgwood to use the name "Queens Ware" for the line. more... In 1770 Wedgwood produced a creamware dinner service of 952 pieces supplied to Catherine II the Great of Russia.

Other potteries such as Doulton, Neale & Co. and Spode produced smaller quantities of creamware.

Creamware continued to be made throughout the 19th century and later. less...