Wedgwood is one of the most recognised names in British ceramics, and with good reason. Founded by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759, the factory has produced some of the most innovative and enduring designs in the history of decorative arts, from the Jasperware that became synonymous with the Wedgwood name to fine bone china tableware that has graced dining tables across the world for more than two centuries. For South African collectors, Wedgwood pieces appear regularly at estate sales and auction houses, and the range is broad enough to suit collectors at every level of experience and budget.
This guide covers the main Wedgwood collecting categories you will encounter, how to date pieces using marks, and what to look for when assessing pieces in the Collectibles by Deon Wedgwood collection.
A Brief History of the Wedgwood Factory
Josiah Wedgwood established his pottery in Burslem, Staffordshire, in 1759. He was one of the most innovative manufacturers of his era, developing new ceramic bodies and glazes, pioneering the use of scientific methods in pottery production, and building a marketing operation that made Wedgwood a household name across Britain and Europe within his own lifetime.
His most significant technical achievement was the development of Jasperware in the 1770s, a fine stoneware body that could be produced in a range of colours and decorated with white relief figures in the neoclassical style. Jasperware remains in production today and is the most immediately recognisable Wedgwood product.
Wedgwood also developed creamware (Queen's Ware) in the 1760s, a refined earthenware body that became the standard for British tableware production. The factory subsequently produced bone china, black basalt, and a wide range of other bodies and decorative styles through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The Wedgwood factory merged with Waterford Crystal in 1986 to form Waterford Wedgwood, which subsequently acquired Royal Doulton and other brands. The group entered administration in 2009 and was acquired by KPS Capital Partners, trading as WWRD. Wedgwood production continues under the brand name.
Jasperware: The Most Collected Wedgwood Category
Jasperware is the Wedgwood product most actively collected in South Africa and internationally. It is a fine stoneware body, not porcelain, developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s. The body is coloured throughout (solid Jasper) or has a coloured surface layer over a white body (Jasper Dip), and is decorated with applied white relief figures, typically in neoclassical style.
The classic Wedgwood Jasperware colour is blue, but the range includes several other colourways that are important for collectors to know:
- Blue: the most common and widely produced Jasperware colour. The shade of blue has varied through the factory's history, from a pale powder blue to a deeper, more saturated tone.
- Black (Black Basalt Jasper): less commonly encountered than blue and more sought after by collectors who want something beyond the standard range. The Collectibles by Deon Wedgwood collection includes a strong selection of Black Jasperware, including the Black Jasperware Trumpet Vase, the Black Jasperware Rectangular Jewellery Dish, the Black Jasperware Fluted Aurora Relief Tray, the Black Jasperware Club-Shaped Dish, the Black Jasperware Kidney-Shaped Lidded Trinket Dish with Cupid as the Oracle, and the Black Jasperware Round Grape and Vine Ashtray. Read our dedicated guide to Black Wedgwood Jasperware for more detail.
- Sage Green: a softer, more muted colourway associated with the mid-twentieth century production. The Sage Green Jasperware Large Round Lidded Trinket Box and the Sage Green Jasperware Kidney-Shaped Lidded Trinket Box in the collection are good examples.
- Lilac: a pale purple colourway, less common than blue or green. The Wedgwood Lilac Jasperware Creamer in the collection is an example of this colourway.
- Pink: a soft pink colourway, less commonly encountered. The Wedgwood White on Pink Jasperware Pin Dish in the collection is an example.
- Gold on Black: a decorative variant with gold relief on a black body, associated with later twentieth-century production. The Wedgwood Gold on Black Jasperware Lidded Pill Box in the collection is an example.
The blue Jasperware pedestal bowls in the collection, the 13.5cm Blue Jasperware Pedestal Bowl and the 12.5cm Blue Jasperware Pedestal Bowl, are classic examples of the standard blue colourway with white neoclassical relief decoration.
Wedgwood Bone China: Tableware and Decorative Pieces
Beyond Jasperware, Wedgwood produced a wide range of bone china tableware and decorative pieces. The Wedgwood Eastern Flowers Pedestal Cake Stand in the collection is an example of Wedgwood bone china tableware, featuring the Eastern Flowers pattern that draws on the chinoiserie tradition of European ceramics. Read our dedicated article on the Wedgwood Eastern Flowers Pedestal Cake Stand for more detail on this specific piece.
Wedgwood Commemorative and Calendar Plates
Wedgwood produced a significant range of commemorative and calendar plates through the twentieth century, many of which are actively collected. The Peter Rabbit series, produced under licence from the Beatrix Potter estate, is among the most widely collected Wedgwood commemorative ranges in South Africa.
The collection includes several Peter Rabbit pieces: the Wedgwood Peter Rabbit 1993 Birthday Plate, the Wedgwood Peter Rabbit 2002 Calendar Plate, and the Wedgwood Peter Rabbit 2003 Calendar Plate, as well as the Wedgwood Oakapple Wood Happy Birthday 1998 Plate. These pieces are dated by the year printed on the plate itself, making them straightforward to identify and date. They are collected both as individual pieces and as part of complete annual series.
Dating Wedgwood Pieces Using Marks
Wedgwood marks are among the most thoroughly documented of any British pottery, and the mark on a piece provides reliable dating information. Key indicators:
- "WEDGWOOD" in upper case without additional text: associated with earlier production, potentially pre-1891.
- "ENGLAND" added to the mark: indicates production after 1891.
- "MADE IN ENGLAND": indicates production after approximately 1921.
- Three-letter date codes: Wedgwood used a three-letter date code system from 1860 to 1930, with each letter corresponding to a specific year, month, and potter. These codes allow precise year dating of pieces carrying them and are documented in Godden's Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks.
- "BONE CHINA" or "FINE BONE CHINA": indicates twentieth-century production.
Read our guide to dating antique ceramics for broader context on mark dating.
What to Look For When Collecting Wedgwood
- Jasperware condition: the matte, unglazed surface of Jasperware shows scratches, chips, and staining more readily than a glazed surface. Examine pieces carefully in good light for surface damage. The white relief decoration is particularly vulnerable to chipping.
- Relief quality: the white relief figures on Jasperware should be crisp and well-defined. Soft, blurred, or poorly applied relief indicates lower-quality production or a worn mould.
- Colour consistency: the coloured Jasperware body should be even and consistent. Patchy or uneven colour may indicate a production fault or surface damage from cleaning.
- Bone china condition: on bone china pieces, examine gilded borders for wear and enamel decoration for chips and lifting. The foot rim and handle are the most vulnerable points.
- Mark authenticity: the Wedgwood name has been used on pieces not made by the Wedgwood factory. Always verify that the mark is consistent with documented Wedgwood marks for the claimed period. Note that "Wedgwood and Co" and "Wedgwood and Sons" are different companies from Josiah Wedgwood and Sons.
Wedgwood in South Africa
Wedgwood pieces arrived in South Africa in significant quantities through the colonial period and continued to be imported through the twentieth century. Jasperware pieces, particularly blue and white examples, are among the most commonly encountered Wedgwood items at South African estate sales and auction houses. Commemorative and calendar plates, including the Peter Rabbit series, are also regularly found.
Browse the full Wedgwood collection at Collectibles by Deon, or explore related pieces in the Ceramics collection. For questions about specific pieces or patterns, visit our contact page or learn more about the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wedgwood Jasperware porcelain?
No. Wedgwood Jasperware is technically a fine stoneware body, not porcelain. It was developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s and is made from barium sulphate and other materials, fired to produce a dense, matte, unglazed surface. Despite its refined appearance, it is classified as stoneware rather than porcelain.
What is the most valuable Wedgwood Jasperware colour?
Rarity and collector demand vary by period and form, but unusual colourways including black, pink, yellow, and crimson generally command premiums over the standard blue. Older pieces with fine relief quality and documented marks are more valuable than later production in the same colourway.
How do I clean Wedgwood Jasperware?
Wedgwood Jasperware is an unglazed stoneware body that absorbs oils and can stain. Dust with a soft, dry brush. If the surface has become discoloured, a very soft brush dampened with distilled water can be used carefully on the coloured body, avoiding the white relief decoration. Do not use any cleaning products on Jasperware. Read our guide to cleaning antique ceramics for full advice.
How do I date a Wedgwood piece?
Check the backstamp for dating indicators. "England" in the mark indicates post-1891 production. "Made in England" indicates post-1921 production. Three-letter date codes, used from 1860 to 1930, allow precise year dating and are documented in Godden's Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks. Read our guide to dating antique ceramics for more detail.
What is the difference between Wedgwood and Wedgwood and Co?
"Wedgwood and Co" and "Wedgwood and Sons" are different companies from Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, the original Wedgwood factory. Pieces marked "Wedgwood and Co" or "Wedgwood and Sons" are not genuine Josiah Wedgwood and Sons pieces. Always verify the exact wording of the mark.
A rewarding category for collectors of Wedgwood Jasperware, British fine ceramics, or decorative collectibles with a documented maker history. Browse the Wedgwood collection to explore available pieces, or contact us to ask about specific patterns or colourways.