Wedgwood and Sons (British, Staffordshire, 1759–present). <em>Tray, Part of A Jasper Tea Service</em>, ca. 1785. Tinted stoneware, 5 x 12 x 10 in. (12.7 x 30.5 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Emily Winthrop Miles, 61.199.69. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 61.199.69_61.199.70_61.199.71_61.199.74_SL1.jpg)

Wedgwood and Sons (British, Staffordshire, 1759–present). Tray, Part of A Jasper Tea Service, ca. 1785. Tinted stoneware, 5 x 12 x 10 in. (12.7 x 30.5 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Emily Winthrop Miles, 61.199.69. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 61.199.69_61.199.70_61.199.71_61.199.74_SL1.jpg)

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From what material is this tea service made?

This service is made of a finely grained stoneware known as "Jasperware". It is naturally white, but can be stained various colors. This blue os commonly referred to as “Wedgwood Blue”, after the manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood. It was made by casting slip (liquid clay) into plaster molds. The white decorations are cast separately and “sprigged” (applied) onto the surface.

Tell me more.

This beautiful blue is known as "Wedgwood Blue." It is one of the most admired and recognizable colors in ceramic history! Wedgwood was a brilliant marketer. He named his pieces after elite women, which boosted their popularity. His showroom was a fashionable place to socialize.

Why was Wedgwood so famous and popular?

Josiah Wedgwood revolutionized the way that pottery was produced, distributed, and marketed, favoring a division of labor model for pottery production. He even invested in road networks that allowed his work to spread far and wide, and established a special London showroom to attract influential clientele. He also developed a great number of different clays and techniques for ceramics that helped to popularize his pottery.

Could you please tell me more about this Waterford Wedgwood PLC?

Waterford Wedgwood PLC was a holding company created by the merger of the Wedgwood ceramics company and Waterford Crystal. That company later acquired additional luxury goods brands like Royal Doulton and Rogaška and was eventually acquired themselves by the Fiskars Group.

Wedgwood, whose early ceramics are well represented in our collection, first made a name for themselves with the production of jasperware, a white-on-color (typically blue) style of decorative ceramics that took inspiration from Classical art.

Today, Wedgwood continues to make luxury, decorative ceramics, and tablewares.

Tray, Part of A Jasper Tea Service

Decorative Arts and Design

MAKER Wedgwood and Sons, British, Staffordshire, 1759–present

MEDIUM Tinted stoneware

DATES ca. 1785

DIMENSIONS 5 x 12 x 10 in. (12.7 x 30.5 x 25.4 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 61.199.69

CREDIT LINE Gift of Emily Winthrop Miles

EXHIBITIONS

Infinite Blue

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Wedgwood and Sons (British, Staffordshire, 1759–present). Tray, Part of A Jasper Tea Service, ca. 1785. Tinted stoneware, 5 x 12 x 10 in. (12.7 x 30.5 x 25.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Emily Winthrop Miles, 61.199.69. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 61.199.69_61.199.70_61.199.71_61.199.74_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE 61.199.69_61.199.70_61.199.71_61.199.74_SL1.jpg.

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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