Discontinued Wedgewood China - By: Rick Stevens

Josiah Wedgwood founded the Wedgwood Company in the mid 18th
century in Stoke on Trent, England. The company got it's start
as a pottery firm. As their reputation for excellence grew,
Wedgwood branched out to include many different china patterns,
art, collectibles, and everyday dinnerware. Due to the quality,
beauty, and craftsmanship, discontinued Wedgewood China
has become prized among serious collectors. In 1987, Wedgwood
merged with Waterford Crystal to become Waterford Wedgwood.

The distinctive Wedgwood styles and patterns can be categorized
in four different areas.

Jasperware:

Recognizable by the light blue base accented with white scenes,
usually Greek or Roman in origin, this style is the one that
most comes to mind by non-collectors. These pieces are prized as
household decoratives, and are very popular as tourist related
collectibles.

Queensware:

The name says it all. Queensware, originally designed as
dinnerware for one of the Queen's of England, can be identified
by an embossed ivy leaf or something similar around its border.
The styles, shapes, and colors may vary slightly but, Queensware
has kept its distinctive styling through the years.

Collectibles:

Among the many items produced for Wedgwood collectors, Christmas
ornaments,an annual plate series,commemorative
items,figurines,art pieces,and tourist items are the most
popular pieces.

Tableware:

This category covers the remainder of most of the Wedgwood
pieces, especially in modern times. Formal and informal
tableware has been a very popular addition to any household
where style and quality is valued.

Three things to be aware of as you build your Wedgwood
collection, tiny cracks, chips, or crazing(looks like spidery
veins along the piece). Any of these three defects can
significantly reduce or even destroy the value of your piece.

Wedgwood was, and is one of the few manufacturers to mark its
name on their products, which serves as an advantage to
collectors. The genuine Wedgwood mark is either painted or
embossed "Wedgwood England", "Wedgwood Made in England", or
"Wedgwood of Etruria and Barlaston" and/or an urn with Wedgwood
underneath it and can be found on the bottom of each piece.
There have been a few variations through the years but rarely
has a picture of anything but an urn been displayed.

When authenticating Wedgwood:

If the piece you're checking out is not marked, it's not
Wedgwood unless it's extremely old in which case you should
consult an expert or get the seller to provide verification that
the piece is, indeed, Wedgwood.

Look out for Wedgewood. The true Wedgwood company does
not spell its name with the second E. Another company, Enoch
Wedgwood of Tunstall, has a unicorn as its logo and the pieces
are stamped "Wedgwood and Co." This is not genuine Wedgwood and
has little or no value to collectors. A large part of their
business is producing collectibles for Avon, but the pieces have
no value for serious collectors and should only be purchased if
you like the look.

If you're searching online for Wedgwood, be sure to enter both
names "Wedgwood and "Wedgewood" as many sellers are not sure of
the spelling. A seller listing a piece as "Wedgewood" more than
likely has an authentic piece of Wedgwood china. Armed with a
little bit of information, you can easily distinguish whether
the piece you're admiring is discontinued Wedgewood china
or a fake.

Josiah Wedgwood founded the Wedgwood Company in the mid 18th
century in Stoke on Trent, England. The company got it's start
as a pottery firm. As their reputation for excellence grew,
Wedgwood branched out to include many different china patterns,
art, collectibles, and everyday dinnerware.

Discontinued Wedgewood China
Swimming Pool
Parts