Delightful Discoveries - So You Think You Know Wedgwood 09.15.10

Wedgewood china has always been one of my favorites, so back when I was spinning my color wheel of fortune and Wedgewood blue came up, I was happily anticipating what I would find to share with you for this feature... and there are some lovely items! I thought it would be fun to share some trivia about the Wedgewood family and company history, so that's what I'm going to do! Before I start though, I want to wish a very happy third birthday to my granddaughter Kennedy! Happy Birthday Sweetie! While we celebrated her birthday with the entire family here in Arizona on Sunday, I'll be celebrating again today with her and her mom (my daughter) and her "Sissy" Cheyenne. I'll be sure to take some pictures of the birthday girl to share tomorrow!

Now, a little bit of trivia about Wedgwood... did you know:

• The founder of the Wedgwood company was Josiah Wedgwood, who, despite many health issues founded the company in 1759 at the age of 29.
• Josiah would lose a leg in 1768 to complications of smallpox he had suffered as a child - and he would commission a local woodworker to create a wooden prosthetic leg for him.
• Josiah's wife's maiden name was also Wedgwood - Sarah Wedgwood was actually a distant cousin.
• Wedgwood fine bone china was first introduced in 1812 with the famous Chinese Dragons pattern.
• Charles Darwin, famed English naturalist, and the first of the evolutionary biologists, was Josiah Wedgwood's grandson.
• Wedgewood bone china is so strong that in 1981, the company boasted its strength by supporting a double decker bus plus 40 passengers (over 11 tons) on six Kutani crane coffee cups.
• Although today's Wedgewood blue is probably one of the most well known of the Wedgwood jasper colors, there were actually 15 shades of blue, 12 shades of brown, 30 shades of green, and 23 shades of rose used in the history of the Wedgwood line - and of course their white jasper!
• The Portland vase, Wedgwood's "icon" was actually a copy of an ancient Graec0-Roman bas-relief. (Perhaps Wedgwood lovers should be glad copyright laws didn't exist back then!)

You can find out more about Wedgwood craftsmanship by visiting their website. This link will take you to their website and the page outlining their techniques. Very interesting read for anyone who appreciates the intricate techniques of handcrafted pottery.

I think you'll like the items I've selected to share with you today - this particular shade of Wedgwood blue is a little bit to the gray or slate side, but no matter what shade of Wedgwood blue (or green or brown or pink!) happens to be your favorite, you'll probably be able to find some lovely examples of it on your favorite handmade/vintage marketplace!





Vintage Wedgewood Blue Smith Crafted Cake Tin from RoseMorose **
Handmade blue veined jasper coin bead necklace from BlueForestJewellery
Wedgewood Bracelet and Earring Set from MadRatStudio
Wedgwood Cameo Pearl Earrings from PearlsAndCashmere **
1970s vintage WEDGEWOOD RUCHE gown from greatestfriend
Wedgewood Triple Wrapped Beaded Pendant from JulesArtwear
Lovely Blue Jaspareware Wedgewood Clock from VintageToby
Slate Blue Cotton ALL WEATHER Beanie from katyscrochet
Wedgewood Dog Collar 1.5 inches wide from nolaandspencer
Handmade Crocheted Cotton Doily in Blue no. 8 ----8 1/2 inch from GriffithGardens2

Tomorrow's featured color of the day is a lovely soft off white with slightly brownish pink undertones that is labeled wheat by the color experts of the web. Please send me your nominations for this color feature by clicking here for the submission form to e-mail me the link to the page of the shop where I can see your items or your favorites from another shop. You can also find a list of my future feature themes by clicking on "Be Featured" in the right sidebar :)

I am off to a fun-filled day with "the girls" - hope yours is just as enjoyable!


**designates an undiscovered or underdiscovered shop