Many things make Nan a special person: she’s excellent at storytelling, she’s a great friend who knows how and what to advise at the right time, she’s an outstanding cook, and she even knows a thing or two about interior design.
You may not always give her credit for that last bit, questioning her interest in decorating with crochet blankets and patchwork quilts, but that Wedgwood’s china collection she has displayed in the gorgeous cabinet in the hallway isn’t only pleasing to the eye—it’s truly prized and precious. And you may one day get to inherit it. Until then, you can contribute to this collection with your exquisite china from this brand.
Is Wedgwood a Good Brand?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a china tableware and gift design brand known for pieces with timeless elegance and incredible and refined craftsmanship, this is it. The authentic Wedgwood china is synonymous with enduring beauty and quality that span over centuries.
Embarking on the shopping journey means understanding more about the brand’s history and legacy besides browsing through gorgeous designs that can inject your home with texture and charm. This is a company with a history that goes back to 1759 when Josiah Wedgwood I, known as the Father of English Potters, founded it.
Despite the humble beginnings, this man’s eye for artistry mixed with innovation and skill of entrepreneurship propelled the company to great heights, turning it into one with large-scale success. The unique Jasperware collection with blue and white motifs valued highly to this day, which was made up of a type of unglazed matte stoneware with cameo-like delicate details for decorations, was certainly one of the creations that gave this brand worldwide recognition and rightful prestige among royalty and aristocracy.
Most of these pieces are prized to this day, along with those of the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite the expensive and refined examples, the Wedgwood collection also encompassed items the general public could afford. So, there was and still is something for everyone.
Nowadays, this collection comprises dinnerware, serveware, teaware, and glassware, as well as home accessories that prove their purpose in terms of functionality and aesthetics alike. Whether you’re up for the antique and vintage, or the modern from collaborations with designers like Vera Wang and Kit Kemp, you can easily find it at specialised retailers. Buy entire collections, or single pieces, mix or match, it’s up to you!
Shopping for Wedgwood Pieces
When building your collection, you’re going to come across a vast array of fine china, so you can make your selection somewhat easier by keeping a few things in mind.
Check The Authenticity
To make sure you purchase genuine Wedgwood pottery and invest the money in something truly valuable, it’s advisable to become acquainted with the hallmarks and stamps of this brand. Because the brand spans centuries, there’s more than one signature, but it’s usually the maker’s mark.
You can identify their products by finding marks like Wedgwood England, Wedgwood, Made in England, or Wedgwood of Etruria & Barlaston. If it’s with an image, then you can expect an urn with the Wedgwood print right under it. Furthermore, to also guarantee authenticity, do some research on reputable and authorised retailers to be certain of the quality.
Delve Into the Collections
As this brand has more than 260 years of existence, and still has plenty to offer today, you can expect to explore a diverse design landscape, ranging from the ancient and vintage to the modern. With such a diverse collection that caters to different tastes, it won’t be long before you find your favourite.
This could be something more exquisite and ornate from the Wedgwood Jasperware with the gorgeous blue, green, and lilac decorations, the Renaissance pieces with Florentine accents and detailing, the romantic and idyllic Wild Strawberry, or the geometric Gio. Whatever speaks of your personality and resonates with your taste and style the most is the ideal choice.
Queen’s Ware, Fairyland Lustre, and Majolica are other sets that stand out with their uniqueness and patterns that you should pay attention to. Consider the kind of style and pieces you’d like to have, whether whole sets or sets of mix-and-match you can create yourself. This would help you determine the collections you can choose from, and how many pieces you could gather, whether whole Wedgwood dinnerware sets, teaware, serveware, a bit of all, or some homeware décor pieces like vases and photo frames.
Don’t forget to think through the occasion – perhaps you’re buying the stunning china for showcasing it, perhaps it’s for everyday dining needs, or maybe it’s only to see the light of day on those special dates. Aspects like this can be of assistance with narrowing down the choices, allowing you to be more wary of the selection, especially when it comes to details and durability.
Everyday items like Wedgwood plates, teapots, and teacups should be functional and practical, resistant to wear and tear, and have properties such as being microwave and dishwasher safe, whereas for the special ones the focus is on the elegant aesthetic. Your choice of style is equally important too. Are you more inclined towards the ornate, or the simpler? By giving this a thought, you could build up your own curated collection, coordinating elements, colours, textures, and details.
When doing so, it would also help if you consider what future purchases you could make when you’re next able to expand the collection. By going through all this you can easily determine the budget, and decide if you’d have to do cuts or give up purchasing a few of the pieces for the time being. It’s essential to prioritise the basics you can’t do without to avoid overspending on the extras you don’t necessarily need right away.
Get Acquainted with the Maintenance
Each of the Wedgwood china and pottery samples have the potential to become a family heirloom and to do so, one must take the necessary care and maintenance. For some, this chore can be fun, while for others, it may mean adding one more menial task to the schedule.
Which of these two groups you find yourself in could decide the kind of item you buy. This brand has something to offer for both parties, those who don’t mind the effort, and those who could do as many chores as possible, so be sure to consider this. To help you preserve the condition of your prized possessions, the company has provided care guides and instructions you should follow for each of the pieces.
Whether you buy fine bone china or stoneware, glassware or one of the silver or nickel-plated designs, there’s the right advice for their use, storage, and protection. Do your part, prolong their lifespan, and you can have collectibles with beauty preserved for generations.