Wedgewood

Wedgewood is a name recognized instantly around the world. The Wedgewood brand is most famous for three types of ceramics notably Queen’s Ware, Black Basalt and Jasper Ware. The company has collaborated with international designers such as Vera Wang, Jasper Conran, Barbara Barry and Martha Stewart.

Josiah Wedgwood, the ‘Father of English Potters’ founded the company in 1759. In 1765, Wedgwood created a new earthenware form which impressed Queen Charlotte, who gave permission to call it "Queen's Ware".

Wedgwood developed a number of further industrial innovations for his company, notably a way of measuring kiln temperatures accurately using his Pyrometer.  During his lifetime he invented and produced what remain today three of Wedgwood’s most famous ceramic bodies - Queen’s Ware (1762), Black Basalt (1768) and finally Jasper (1774).

Wedgwood bone china tableware was to grace the tables of many illustrious homes throughout the world, including the dinner service which President Theodore Roosevelt ordered for the White House.

Josiah Wedgewood had eight children, the eldest, Susannah, became the mother of the naturalist, Charles Darwin FRS, author of ‘The Origin of Species;’ John, the eldest son, was a co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society; and another son Thomas became famous after his death as one of the inventors of photography.