Josiah Wedgwood (& Sons Ltd)

Famous manufacturer of earthenware and porcelain at Burslem then Etruria and lastly Barlaston (where the factory is currently situated) 

Wedgwood has a long history. It all began with the father of Josiah Wedgwood. His father owned a small kiln in the area known then, as well as now, as Staffordshire potteries. Josiah born in 1730 was the youngest of a large family. After his fathers death the pottery was passed to William, Josiah’s oldest brother. At the age of eight, Josiah went to work for his brother.

When Josiah was fourteen, he apprenticed for his brother for the next seven years. During that time, he learned the trade secrets from the master potters of Staffordshire.

Once Josiah Wedgwood completed his apprenticeship with his brother, he became a partner with two others at Cliff Bank,Stoke. The partnership lasted for only a little over a year. He then signed an agreement with Thomas Whieldon of Fenton. Whieldon was a well-known master potter and was considered to be the ‘father’ of British pottery. He produced salt glazed earthenwares and Creamwares. His was considered one of the largest potteries in Staffordshire. Josiah had an agreement with Thomas Whieldon which allowed him to do experimental work and keep the results to himself. He only stayed there for a few years.

In 1759 he started his own business at the Ivy House pottery in Burslem, England. He produced utilitarian earthenware until 1770 when he opened his new facilities at Etruria. There he began producing ornamental-type wares. It was there that the introduction of Basalt and Jasperware was made. Jasperware is an unglazed stoneware decorated with figures in relief. It can be found in blues, greens, white, yellow, black, and lilac. A combination of colors can also be found occasionally. Jasperware is produced today and is one of the most widely recognized.

Athough Josiah Wedgwood's Jasperware was well accepted, his creamware was more of a success. Since it could be easily potted and was lighter in weight, the cost of transportation was much less. Because of the lesser costs, he could offer "chinaware" at affordable prices. Queen Charlotte was so pleased with it, that she ordered a complete service with the accessories. In 1766, Josiah Wedgwood was appointed "Potter to Her Majesty, the Queen". This allowed Josiah to call his china service "Queens Ware".

During some of his travels, he met Thomas Bentley, another potter. They eventually became partners. A new "state of the art" factory was built on a parcel of land of 350 acres, just a few miles from his Burslem factory. There is where he perfected a new black body he called "Basaltes". Thomas Bentley became a valuable friend and ally. He died in 1780. Josiah married his third cousin, Sarah Wedgwood and between them had seven children (four girls and three boys). After turning over the business to his sons, Josiah Wedgwood died January 3, 1795.

MARKS

"Wedgwood" - Most creamware was marked "Wedgwood & Bentley" - 1769-1780 - A partnership with Thomas Bentley of artwares of high quality

"WEDGWOOD" (with a printed "Portland Vase" mark after 1872) - Moonlight Lustre An all-over splashed-on effect of pink intermingled with brown, gray, or yellow was made from 1805-1815. Porcelain was made from 1812-1822. Bone china was produced before 1822 and after 1872.

Nearly all of Wedgwood is marked "WEDGWOOD". After 1891, "ENGLAND" was added. Pieces marked "MADE IN ENGLAND" were made after 1905. Pieces marked "WEDGEWOOD" and "Wedgwood and Co." are marks of other potteries.
 

MARKS - c.1759+	Description & date
	Basic impressed name-mark on earthenware. c.1759+ Early examples show individually impressed letters. Josiah started marking his wares about 1759 with impressions made with printers movable type. Each letter was impressed separately and and the mark is uneven and often in curved shape. Much of the production remained unmarked. These marks were used through 1769.
	In 1769 the work of Josiah's partnership with his cousin, Thomas Wedgwood for the manufacture of useful wares is impressed with this mark made with a slug.  After the death of his partner Bentley in 1781(see marks below) this mark was used instead of the 'Wedgwood & Bentley' marks. The mark was used on both useful and decorative pieces. This impressed mark remains the usual mark until the adoption of the sans serif version in 1929.
WEDGWOOD & BENTLEY W & B	Commencing in about 1769 the decorative works produced by Josiah's partnership with Bentley were marked with one of the three of these marks either impressed or raised from the body.  Examples of these impressed 'Wedgwood & Bentley' marks are rare. Found on ornamental basalt, jasper and marbled wares.c.1769-80 NOTE: The circular mark has been added to unmarked objects; these fake marks are relatively soft and can be marked by a pin, knife etc.
	This extremely rare script mark is used on ornamental wares between 1769 and 1780.
	These three example marks were used on smaller seals, cameos and intaglios.  The number in 356 is the Wedgwood and Bentley catalog number of the piece.
	This impressed mark is used on larger pieces, sometimes with the word ETRURIA added.
	These were used on all types of ware from 1780 until about the time of Josiah's death in 1795.  The top mark is  the upper and lower case mark and the bottom is called the lower case mark.
	This very rare impressed mark dates the piece at about 1790.
	This rare mark used by Josiah Wedgwood II is found on lustre ware, basalts, rosso antico and Jasper Ware pieces.
	Printed  in red, blue or gold name-marks on porcelain (rare). c.1812-22
	This printed mark appears on the stone china range manufactured between 1820-61.
	Impressed mark with the place 'ETRURIA' added. c.1840-5
EMILE LESSORE	Typical signature marks found on Wedgwood earthenware painted by the French artist Emile Lessore. c.1858-76
wedgwood ENGLAND	England added from 1891
wedgwood MADE IN ENGLAND	Made in England added from 1910
	Impressed 'sans serif'  name-mark on earthenware from c.1929
	Basic printed mark on porcelain, c.1878+ England added from 1891 Made in England added from 1910 The description 'BONE CHINA' was sometimes used.
	Rare impressed mark on Queen's ware 1891-1900.
	Printed mark on bone china from 1900 onwards ENGLAND OR MADE IN ENGLAND added below.
	Printed mark on bone china from about 1902.
	Machine printed mark on bone china 1950-62.
	Bone china mark introduced in 1962.
	Standard printed mark from c.1940