Disclosure: This is not compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product or review purposes only.
Growing up I remember fondly of my mom keeping a Wedgwood Vase in a glass cabinet. I would view it from the glass and think about how even thou we had a small apartment, my mom still made it beautiful with these pieces. As I got older and we purchased a curio cabinet the collection got a little bigger. That cabinet sits proudly in my home now and is full of treausred memories. While you may think Wedgwood is more of your mom’s style, you will happy to learn that they have listened and responded with a collection that represents the next generation. You are going love these pieces and how easy they are to showcase in your place.
Wedgwood History
Wedgwood was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, who is now remembered as the “Father of English Potters”. He was the youngest of 12 children born in Burslem, Staffordshire, in the heart of the English potteries and serviced his apprenticeship as a potter before setting up his own business.
After he manufactured a cream-coloured tea and coffee service for Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, she allowed him to style himself “Potter to Her Majesty” and to call his new cream ware Queen’s Ware.
Josiah also created Black Basalt, a fine black porcelain, which enabled him to produce copies of the newly excavated Etruscan pottery from Italy. His invention of a new stoneware called Jasper has been described as the most important development in the history of ceramics since the Chinese discovery of porcelain nearly 1,000 years earlier. He employed many notable artists including George Stubbs to design bas-reliefs, often imitating classical Greek motifs.
In 1766 he built a new factory in Staffordshire which he called Etruria, as well as a Georgian mansion, Etruria Hall, for his family. The opening of Etruria on 13 June 1769 was celebrated with the throwing of six so-called First Day’s Vases. His business partner Thomas Bentley, a Liverpool merchant who sold Wedgwood ceramics, turned the potter’s wheel. In 1774 they supplied a 944-piece dinner service, which became known as the frog service because of its green frog emblem, to Empress Catherine II of Russia.
After Josiah invented the pyrometer, a device for measuring higher degrees of heat in kilns, he was elected to the Royal Society in 1783. His last major ceramic achievement was the Portland Vase, produced in 1789 – a facsimile of a famous Roman cameo glass vase known as the Barberini.
In 1790 he took his three sons John, Josiah II and Thomas, and his nephew Thomas Byerley into partnership, but John and Tom left three years later.
The 19th century saw the introduction of the first coloured earthenware and the manufacture of bone china. Wedgwood provided a bone china dinner service ordered by US President Theodore Roosevelt for the White House.
During the 1930s, the fifth Josiah Wedgwood decided to built a new, modern factory at Barlaston in Stoke-on-Trent. Production started in the 1940s and has continued at the site ever since.
If you want to learn more about the history, Wedgwood just published a wonderful book tittled “Wedgwood: A Story of Creation and Innovation”. It is a great coffee table book and one that will spark lots of discussion.
Wedgwood has an iconic collection. I would love to focus on the one that stands out for me, and has a prominent place in my home.
Magnolia Blossom Collection
Wedgwood introduced this new floral theme to its iconic blue Japserware with the launch of Magnolia Blossom. If you know me, you know I love blue so this was perfect for my home.
The designs are inspired by patterns within the 19th century Wedgwood archives. Combining the familiar soft blue Jasper colour palette with organic shapes and the exuberant white Magnolia flower in ornamental relief, an exciting new look is brought to a classic design.
The collection celebrates British craftsmanship and the unique hand painting techniques applied in the
Wedgwood factory in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent. Each piece – made in Jasperware, the most enduring and iconic of Wedgwood’s ornamental wares – takes six highly skilled craftsmen up to one week to finish each piece.
The Magnolia flower has long been associated with nobility, perseverance, dignity and a love of nature, while the combination of pale blue and pure white creates an elegant feel for this updated interior gift offering.
The collection of vases and interior pieces, designed and crafted in Britain feature the elegant Magnolia flower in detail around each item.
Each element of the elegant Magnolia Blossom collection is beautifully presented in signature Wedgwood blue gift box.
I feel in love with this line the moment I saw it and I know that you will also. These make great birthday, anniverary and wedding gifts.
I know that at times it can seem difficult when decorating your home and apartment. Trust me I have no decorating skills at all, but Wedgwood makes it easy for me. With this line, I am allowed to be modern but classic at the same time.
I am immensely honored to be able to present this collection to you and will be bringing more of the Wedgwood line in the months to come.
With the holidays right around the corner, why not give the gift of Wedgwood. Your family and friends will love it.
http://www.wedgwood.com/collections/wedgwood-magnolia-blossom
