For over 260 years, Wedgwood Jasperware has been a favorite amongst pottery collectors. This smooth stoneware was once the pride of England for its elegant forms, eye-catching colors, and beautiful neoclassical designs. Today it remains highly coveted in both its modern and antique forms. For those who are unfamiliar with this style of pottery, this is everything you need to know about jasperware.
The History of Jasperware
Jasperware was created in the 1770s by a man named Josiah Wedgwood, who was an independent potter. Josiah was fascinated with ancient artifacts from places like Greece and Rome, so he decided to try and create a style of pottery that would rival the classics. After years of experimentation, he finally came up with a type of fine vitreous stoneware that was hard, durable, and could be stained in different colors and still retain a matte finish. He named it after the mineral jasper, which is a type of quartz.
What is Jasperware Made Of?
To this day, nobody really knows the exact formula for jasperware because the makers keep it a tight secret. However, we do know that the base consists of white clay that is either left as is with a matte finish or stained with metallic oxide dyes. In the early days, the clay was stained throughout, but later only the surface of the piece was dyed. The latter style is called dipped jasperware. Some jasperware pieces that are meant to be functional, such as teacups and plates, are glazed as well.
What Does Jasperware Look Like?
As jasperware became more popular in England in the late 1700s, Josiah began to experiment with different colors and styles. He made vases, teapots, teacups, plates, and portraits in white, pale blue, dark blue, sage green, and lilac. The pale blue was particularly sought after and came to be known as Wedgwood blue. Josiah also worked with designers to create reliefs. The most famous designer was John Flaxman Jr, who created intricate classical and modern designs that are still used today.
Wedgwood jasperware is currently produced at a factory in Barlaston, England where apprentices must train for up to 10 years to master the craft. Artisans still use the formula and techniques that Josiah Wedgwood invented to create modern pieces with instantly recognizable contrasting color schemes and designs that pay homage to the past. Antique pieces can be found in museums or in private collections. An authentic antique jasperware piece can command a great deal of money.
