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Jasperware

Jasperware is a fine-grained, unglazed stoneware invented by the English potter Josiah Wedgwood in the mid-1770s, renowned for its matte, porcelain-like finish and ability to incorporate colored bodies with contrasting white relief decorations.^[1]^[2] Developed after thousands of experiments at his Etruria factory, established in 1769, jasperware represented Wedgwood's breakthrough in ceramic innovation, emulating the appearance of ancient Roman cameos and basaltic vases while surpassing the limitations of traditional earthenware and porcelain.^[3]^[2] The material's key characteristics include its high-fired composition, which achieves a dense, translucent quality without requiring a glaze, and its versatility in coloring through the addition of metallic oxide stains such as cobalt oxide, most famously producing the signature pale "Wedgwood blue" alongside variants in green, lilac, yellow, black, and red.^[1]^[3]^[4] Production involved mixing refined clay with flint and specialized ingredients like Cherokee unaker clay for opacity and strength, followed by sprigging—pressing low-relief motifs onto the moist body—before firing at high temperatures to create durable, polished surfaces suitable for cutting and engraving.^[2] Designs often featured neoclassical scenes drawn from classical mythology, history, and portraits, crafted by notable artists such as John Flaxman, who contributed intricate bas-reliefs evoking ancient artifacts like the Portland Vase, which Wedgwood famously replicated over four years starting in the 1780s.^[3]^[1] Jasperware's historical significance lies in its embodiment of Enlightenment-era neoclassicism and British industrial prowess, transforming ceramics into a medium for fine art and elevating Wedgwood's global reputation as a pioneer of mass-produced luxury goods.^[2]^[3] It gained prominence through items like the 1787 Am I Not a Man and a Brother? antislavery medallion, which Wedgwood produced to support abolitionist causes, blending aesthetic appeal with social commentary and influencing later ceramic traditions.^[2] By the late 18th century, jasperware had become a symbol of refined taste, adorning vases, plaques, medallions, and tableware in elite households worldwide, and it continues to be manufactured today as a testament to enduring craftsmanship.^[1]

History

Development by Josiah Wedgwood

Josiah Wedgwood, born into a family of potters in Staffordshire, England, in 1730, emerged as one of the most innovative ceramicists of the 18th century. Apprenticed from age 14 and establishing his own manufactory in Burslem in 1759, Wedgwood dedicated his career to advancing pottery through systematic experimentation during the [Industrial Revolution](/page/Industrial Revolution). His ambition was to produce a durable, fine-grained stoneware that could emulate the intricate reliefs of ancient Roman cameos and challenge the translucency and prestige of Chinese porcelain, thereby making classical aesthetics accessible to a broader audience.^[5]^[6] Wedgwood's pursuit of this ideal began in the 1760s with trials in fine stoneware bodies, building on earlier successes like creamware. After thousands of recorded experiments, he achieved a breakthrough formulation by late 1774, creating jasperware as an unglazed, vitreous material capable of being stained throughout its mass with metallic oxides. The first public exhibition of jasperware occurred in 1775, showcasing its potential and garnering immediate acclaim among collectors and artists. Early designs drew briefly from neoclassical motifs, incorporating white relief figures on colored grounds to evoke antique gems.^[7]^[5]^[6] Key challenges in development included attaining a dense, non-porous body that resisted porosity while allowing uniform color penetration, maintaining a signature matte surface, and preventing cracks during high-temperature firing. Wedgwood overcame these through meticulous adjustments to clay mixtures and firing techniques, often testing variations on trial trays to ensure stability and aesthetic uniformity. His invention of a pyrometer in the 1780s further aided precise heat control, though initial successes relied on iterative trial and error.^[5]^[6]^[8] Initial production remained modest, primarily small medallions and plaques featuring portraits or classical scenes. This limited scale allowed Wedgwood to refine the ware before expanding to larger vessels, prioritizing quality over quantity in its early commercialization.^[5]^[9]

Evolution and Later Developments

Following Josiah Wedgwood's death in 1795, his successors, including son Josiah II and later grandson Francis Wedgwood, oversaw a period of adaptation in jasperware production amid shifting market demands. By 1811, the ware's popularity had declined significantly, with output reduced to less than 10% of Wedgwood's total production, and vase manufacturing ceased entirely by 1817.^[10] Production nearly halted by 1829, though experimentation persisted, and a revival began in 1844 when jasper was used as a dip and for applied decorations on a new white porcelain body.^[10] Solid jasper resumed in the 1860s under the leadership of Wedgwood's grandsons, initially for small items like buttons, seals, and medallions, marking a shift toward more modest scales compared to the ambitious forms of Wedgwood's era.^[10] These changes reflected broader company challenges, including financial difficulties in the 1840s that prompted partnerships with figures like John Boyle and asset sales to sustain operations.^[5] In the 20th century, jasperware experienced further revivals that aligned with evolving aesthetic movements. Production halted in 1941 due to material shortages during World War II but resumed in 1948 with a refined composition closer to the original formula, enabling the creation of new designs such as collector's plates for holidays like Christmas and Mother's Day.^[10] The ware influenced Art Deco and modernist ceramics through its clean lines and matte finish.^[11] By the mid-century, under directors like Victor Skellern and Norman Wilson, the company relocated to the modern Barlaston factory in the 1930s, where a small team of skilled artisans continued prestige production, including jasperware, into the postwar period.^[5] Jasperware's cultural legacy lies in its pivotal role in popularizing Neoclassicism across Britain, as Wedgwood's enduring designs democratized classical motifs for a wider audience through affordable yet refined stoneware.^[5] Its export success extended to Europe and America, bolstered by innovative distribution networks via canals and roads in the early 19th century and sustained global appeal thereafter.^[5] Notable commissions, such as the black-and-white jasperware pieces created for the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris—which drew over 75,000 British visitors—highlighted its international prestige and adaptability for exhibition-scale works like clocks and decorative objects.^[12] As of 2025, Wedgwood remains under the ownership of Fiskars Group, which acquired the company in 2015 to expand its luxury home goods portfolio.^[13] Recent initiatives emphasize sustainability, aligning with Fiskars' commitments to carbon neutrality, circular product design, and positive societal impact through responsible sourcing and reduced waste in production.^[14] Limited-edition releases, such as the 2025 Icon collection reimagining archival jasperware designs for contemporary settings, commemorate milestones like the ware's 250th anniversary while preserving the original color palette of blues, lilacs, greens, and whites.^[15]

Composition and Materials

Formulation and Key Ingredients

Jasperware's core formulation consists of approximately 57% barium sulfate, which provides the material's characteristic opacity and matte "biscuit" finish, combined with 29% ball clay for plasticity during shaping, 10% flint to facilitate vitrification during firing, and 4% barium carbonate as a minor component to aid in the chemical stability of the mixture.^[16]^[17] The original recipe emerged in the mid-1770s, specifically by late 1774, following extensive empirical development by Josiah Wedgwood, and was refined in subsequent years to minimize shrinkage issues during the drying and firing stages, enabling more reliable production of intricate forms.^[18]^[19] Modern variants, introduced after 1950, incorporate trace minerals from diverse clay sources beyond traditional English deposits to ensure greater consistency in composition and performance across batches.^[20] This formulation yields key physical properties, including translucency in thinner sections due to the fine-grained structure, high density that renders the body non-porous after high-temperature firing, and an overall aesthetic that closely mimics the matte, stone-like quality of ancient jasper mineral.^[18]^[21] Wedgwood's development process involved rigorous testing standards, with nearly 3,000 recorded experiments conducted to precisely balance the ingredients, ensuring the body could withstand twice-firing without deformation or cracking.^[22]^[18] Colors in jasperware are briefly referenced through the incorporation of metallic oxides into the base body for uniform tinting.^[23]

Color Integration Techniques

In solid jasper, the entire body of the ware is uniformly tinted by incorporating metallic oxides into the clay slip prior to forming, ensuring the color permeates throughout the material for a consistent appearance even if chipped.^[24] This technique, pioneered by Josiah Wedgwood around 1775, typically involves adding small amounts of oxides such as cobalt for the signature pale blue shade, which became the most iconic hue of jasperware.^[24] The resulting body is then formed, dried, and fired, yielding a dense, unglazed stoneware with enduring color integrity.^[24] Dipped jasper, in contrast, maintains a white base body during initial forming and firing, with color applied afterward by immersing the unfired or partially formed piece in a colored slip to coat only the surface.^[24] This method, developed from around 1780, allowed for multi-color effects by selectively dipping sections or layering slips, enabling complex designs without staining the core material.^[25] It was particularly useful for achieving variety in production, though it limited depth of color compared to solid techniques and was later revived in the 19th century for decorative versatility.^[24] Among rarer colors, yellow was achieved using a salt of antimony, introduced experimentally around 1790 but produced in limited quantities due to challenges in achieving stable hues.^[24]^[26] Black variants relied on iron oxide for a deep, matte tone, while other experimental shades like lilac and sage green expanded the palette, though historical production encompassed only about 30 distinct hues and combinations overall, constrained by the compatibility of oxides with the clay body.^[24]^[25]^[27] Color fastness in jasperware is ensured through high-temperature oxidation firing, which stabilizes the metallic oxides and prevents bleeding or migration between layers during the process.^[28] This controlled atmosphere, typically reaching vitrification without glazing, binds the pigments permanently to the stoneware matrix, maintaining vibrancy and resistance to wear over time.^[24]^[29]

Manufacturing Process

Forming and Shaping Methods

The production of jasperware begins with the preparation of the raw materials into a stiff paste known as jasper, achieved by mixing selected clays with ground flint, moorstone, and metallic oxides like cobalt for coloration.^[30] This dense, vitreous stoneware body is formulated to be hard and color-absorbent throughout. The mixture is kneaded into flat slabs, referred to as "bats," or a more fluid slip for versatility in handling, ensuring a uniform consistency suitable for shaping.^[30] For complex items involving multiple colors, such as tricolor variants, a softer paste version may be employed to facilitate layering and integration of hues like lilac, sage green, and cream.^[31] Once prepared, the stiff jasper paste is turned on a lathe to achieve uniformity and smoothness, a process that refines the material's surface and dimensions before further forming.^[30] Josiah Wedgwood introduced engine-turning lathes to the pottery industry in 1763, developing mechanical devices that allowed precise ornamental turning and fluting on the rigid jasper body, such as semicircular or square indents on vases.^[32] These engines, developed with collaborators like John Taylor, marked a significant advancement over manual methods, enabling consistent results on dense stoneware that resisted traditional hand-turning.^[33] Forming techniques for jasperware are adapted to the material's rigidity, which limits extensive manipulation. More commonly, press-molding employs plaster-of-Paris molds to create plaques, medallions, and relief elements; the jasper paste is pressed firmly into the mold, leveled with tools like wooden ribs, and carefully released to capture fine details without undercuts.^[30] For prototypes and custom pieces, hand-building techniques involve modeling the paste with tools to form initial shapes from paper designs or wax models, allowing artisans to refine classical motifs before production molding.^[30] Relief decorations, produced in molds as sprigs, are applied to the moist or leather-hard body using slip for adhesion, typically after basic forming but before full drying. This sprigging process ensures the white reliefs integrate seamlessly with the colored body. Following forming and decoration, the jasperware pieces undergo controlled air-drying to prevent cracking and warping, a critical step given the material's tendency to shrink unevenly—typically by about 1/8 inch or more during the process.^[30] This drying occurs gradually in ambient conditions, often taking 1 to 2 weeks for pieces to reach bone-dry state with approximately 5% moisture content, ensuring structural integrity before firing.^[34] Large masses pose particular challenges, requiring even exposure to air to avoid distortions, as uneven drying was a noted issue in early production.^[30]

Firing and Finishing

The production of jasperware involves firing to achieve its characteristic durable, matte finish without the application of glaze. Smaller pieces typically undergo a single high-temperature firing around 1200°C to fully vitrify the material, resulting in a translucent, non-porous surface; larger pieces may be bisque-fired first to harden, with decorations already applied, followed by a glost firing at similar temperatures.^[30] This firing process, often lasting up to a week in historical contexts, enhances the uniformity of the body and stabilizes embedded colors, with controlled atmospheric conditions—typically oxidation for cobalt-based hues—ensuring the desired matte translucency without cracking.^[30] The process yields a hard, stone-like durability, though early experiments in the 1770s frequently encountered shrinkage inconsistencies, leading to distortions such as warped figures or raised seams during cooling. These challenges were largely resolved by 1780 through refined techniques, including slower cooling ramps to minimize thermal stress and accommodate the 1/8-inch shrinkage allowance typical of the clay body. Post-firing finishing emphasizes the unglazed, matte aesthetic central to jasperware's appeal, with no traditional glazing applied to preserve the tactile, biscuit-like surface.^[18] Pieces undergo light buffing or polishing using lapidary tools or lathes to achieve a smooth, velvety texture that highlights relief details and subtle light effects, often enhancing the stone-like quality without altering the matte finish. In modern production, occasional wax polishing is employed on select pieces to provide a subtle sheen and protective layer, particularly for contemporary replicas or restored items.^[16] Innovations in firing technology have further refined the process since the mid-20th century, with the adoption of electric kilns post-1950 enabling precise temperature control and consistent results, reducing the hazards associated with earlier coal-fired methods.^[35] This shift has allowed for more reliable vitrification and minimized defects in large-scale production while maintaining the traditional matte integrity.^[35]

Designs and Decoration

Neoclassical Influences and Motifs

Jasperware designs drew primary inspiration from Greek and Roman antiquity, reflecting the 18th-century neoclassical revival that emphasized classical forms and themes in art and decoration. This influence extended to Etruscan pottery, known for its red-figure and black-figure techniques, which Wedgwood adapted into his unglazed stoneware to evoke ancient elegance. The excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 1760s further fueled this enthusiasm, uncovering frescoes, sculptures, and vessels that showcased vibrant mythological and architectural details, which Wedgwood incorporated into his ornamental repertoire.^[36] A key collaboration shaping these designs was between Josiah Wedgwood and collectors like Sir William Hamilton, the British envoy to Naples, whose extensive antiquities collection included artifacts from the Pompeii and Herculaneum sites. Hamilton published detailed engravings of ancient vases in works such as Collection of Engravings from Ancient Vases (1791–1795), providing Wedgwood with direct sources for classical motifs that were translated into jasperware reliefs. These influences ensured that jasperware served as a modern homage to ancient aesthetics, aligning with the era's fascination for archaeological discoveries.^[36] Common motifs in jasperware encompassed figures from classical mythology, such as Apollo and Venus, often depicted in dynamic poses symbolizing beauty, music, and love. Allegorical scenes portraying virtues like liberty and humanity appeared frequently, drawing from Greco-Roman iconography to convey moral and philosophical ideals. Architectural elements, including friezes with processions of gods and heroes, as well as urn and column motifs, added structural harmony and evoked the grandeur of ancient temples and memorials.^[5]^[37] The scale and style of these reliefs were meticulously controlled, with shallow depths to preserve structural integrity during the high-temperature firing process, preventing warping or cracking in the fine-grained body. Compositions frequently employed bilateral symmetry, mirroring the balanced proportions of ancient cameos and intaglios, which enhanced the three-dimensional effect against the matte background. Artists like John Flaxman contributed designs that refined this neoclassical precision, adapting antique sources into elegant, scalable patterns suitable for various jasperware forms.^[38] Over the late 18th and into the 19th century, jasperware motifs evolved from the dense, multifaceted patterns of the 1770s—characterized by crowded scenes of intertwined figures and ornate details—to simpler, more outlined compositions by the Victorian era. This shift mirrored broader changes in taste, from the exuberant archaeological enthusiasm of the Enlightenment to the restrained elegance of Regency and later historicism, allowing jasperware to remain relevant across evolving decorative trends.^[5]

Application of Reliefs and Markings

The application of reliefs to jasperware primarily utilizes the sprigging technique, where small molded clay pieces, or sprigs, are pressed onto the leather-hard body using a contrasting slip as adhesive to create bas-relief decorations.^[5] This method allows for repeatable neoclassical motifs, such as classical figures and garlands, and was refined by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s to achieve fine detail on the matte surface.^[5] Complementary hand-carving refines the applied elements, ensuring sharp contours without the need for overpainting. Multi-color effects in jasperware are achieved through layering colored slips during the forming stage, enabling designs with up to three tones on complex pieces that require multiple firings to set each layer without cracking.^[5] While the standard blue body with white reliefs dominated early production, tricolor variants—featuring additional hues like lilac or green—emerged in limited quantities by the late 18th century, with fuller development in the 19th century for items like vases and teapots.^[39] Marking systems on jasperware began with the impressed "WEDGWOOD" introduced in 1769 to authenticate pieces and distinguish them from competitors.^[40] From 1860 to 1929, a three-letter date code was occasionally added, denoting the month, potter, and year (e.g., "ABC" indicating January, potter B, and 1860), though such codes are rare on jasperware due to its ornamental nature.^[40] The addition of "ETRURIA" to marks, referencing the factory site, appeared from the mid-19th century (c. 1860) and continued until 1968, often in combination with "WEDGWOOD" for larger or export pieces.^[41] Authentication of genuine jasperware relies on the absence of any glaze, resulting in a smooth, matte finish that lacks the gloss or crazing seen in glazed ceramics, alongside consistent impressed marks without modern printed or painted additions on pre-20th-century examples.^[42] Post-1968 pieces typically bear "WEDGWOOD MADE IN ENGLAND" in sans-serif font, with contemporary production incorporating hand-applied reliefs but no laser etching specified in historical records.^[43]

Notable Examples

Portland Vase Replica

The Portland Vase, a renowned Roman cameo glass artifact dating to the 1st century CE, entered the collection of Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, in 1785 following its purchase from Sir William Hamilton.^[44] Josiah Wedgwood, captivated by the vase's intricate design upon seeing it in Hamilton's possession earlier that year, became obsessed with replicating it in ceramic form, viewing the project as the ultimate test of his jasperware innovations.^[45] This pursuit spanned nearly five years from 1786 to 1790, involving thousands of experimental trials at his Etruria factory to achieve the precise translucency, durability, and fine detail of the original glass.^[46] Wedgwood's technical breakthrough resulted in a two-layered jasperware vase, with a matte blue-black body overlaid by white relief elements, standing approximately 25 cm tall.^[47] The design faithfully captures the original's cameo style through applied white clay figures—created using a barbotine technique for sculpted reliefs—depicting key scenes from the Greek myth of Peleus and Thetis, including the wedding procession, Cupid, and symbolic elements like a dog and snake, all rendered in exquisite low relief.^[45] This replication not only mimicked the vase's form, with its amphora shape, flared foot, and figural handles, but also elevated jasperware as a medium capable of rivaling ancient glass artistry.^[47] The first successful full-scale copy was completed in 1790, marking a milestone in ceramic history and prompting Wedgwood to produce around 50 "first edition" replicas through a subscription model.^[48] These were offered to elite patrons at £50 each—a substantial sum reflecting their exclusivity and prestige—quickly selling out and disseminating neoclassical ideals across Europe and America, where the vases became symbols of refined taste in grand homes and collections.^[49] The original Portland Vase's legacy intertwined with Wedgwood's replicas when it was deliberately smashed into over 200 fragments by a vandal at the British Museum in 1845, though skilled restorers reassembled it using Wedgwood's precise copies as references for missing pieces.^[44] While the antique suffered permanent losses, the jasperware replicas endured intact, preserving the design's details in institutions worldwide and underscoring Wedgwood's contribution to cultural conservation.^[45]

Other Iconic Wedgwood Pieces

One of the most ambitious early examples of Wedgwood jasperware is the Apotheosis of Homer plaque, produced in the late 1770s and 1780s. This large rectangular plaque, measuring approximately 40-50 cm in height, features a solid pale blue jasper body with intricate white relief modeling depicting over 50 figures surrounding the deified Homer, inspired by an ancient Greek vase. Designed by John Flaxman, who joined Wedgwood in 1775, the piece exemplifies the neoclassical revival and was created for export markets, showcasing the technical prowess of jasperware in replicating classical cameos on a grand scale.^[50]^[51] In the 1770s, Wedgwood introduced smaller-scale jasperware medallions that became early commercial successes, including representations of the Muses Thalia and Melpomene symbolizing comedy and tragedy in theater. These oval or diamond-shaped pieces, around 10 cm in size, were often produced in lilac jasper with white reliefs, such as Thalia holding a comic mask and ivy wreath, or Melpomene with a tragic mask. Drawing on classical motifs, these medallions captured the era's enthusiasm for ancient drama and served as affordable decorative items, highlighting jasperware's versatility for intimate portraiture and thematic symbolism.^[52]^[53] A pivotal piece with social significance is the Slave Emancipation medallion of 1787, designed by William Hackwood under Josiah Wedgwood's direction to support the abolitionist cause. Crafted in white jasper relief on a blue ground, it portrays a kneeling enslaved African in chains with the inscription "Am I not a man and a brother?" Wedgwood produced thousands of these cameos at no cost for distribution by the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, making it a widely circulated emblem of the anti-slavery movement and demonstrating jasperware's role in advocacy.^[54]^[55]^[56] By the 19th century, Wedgwood expanded jasperware production to include royal commissions, such as cameo portraits of Queen Victoria in the 1830s, featuring her profile in white relief on blue jasper medallions that celebrated the monarch's early reign. Larger forms, like ornate urns with neoclassical reliefs, were also commissioned for royal and aristocratic patrons, underscoring the material's enduring prestige in elite decorative arts. These pieces, often exceeding 30 cm in height, incorporated classical figures and swags, reflecting Wedgwood's status as a supplier to the British crown.^[57]^[58]^[5]

Other Producers and Variants

Historical Imitations and Copies

In the late 18th century, Staffordshire potters such as those at Copeland and Spode began producing imitations of Wedgwood's jasperware, employing similar barium-based formulas to achieve the characteristic matte blue body with white reliefs. These copies, emerging from the 1780s onward, often suffered from inferior firing techniques that resulted in less uniform color and texture compared to Wedgwood's originals. Internationally, the Spanish Real Fábrica del Buen Retiro in Madrid manufactured vases and plaques between 1790 and 1808 that emulated jasperware's unglazed, neoclassical aesthetic using biscuit porcelain, incorporating local motifs like Iberian flora alongside classical figures.^[59] In France during the 1890s, Jean-Baptiste Stahl developed Phanolith at Villeroy & Boch's Mettlach factory, a translucent soft-paste porcelain that blended jasperware's layered relief with pâte-sur-pâte effects, allowing for larger-scale productions such as architectural panels.^[60] Wedgwood protected his jasperware formula through trade secrets rather than patents, which were difficult to enforce and not pursued for this invention; this reliance on secrecy paved the way for widespread unlicensed production across Europe. This legal approach contributed to a proliferation of lower-quality copies, including glazed fakes that deviated from jasperware's signature matte finish and often exhibited cracking or inconsistent barium saturation.^[61] Additionally, other European producers like Derby porcelain works created jasperware-style relief decorations in the late 18th century, adapting neoclassical motifs to biscuit porcelain for vases and plaques. Stahl's Phanolith plaques, displayed at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, measured up to 2 meters wide and integrated jasper-like reliefs with enamel accents for dramatic, scalable decorative effects.^[62]^[63]

Modern and Non-Wedgwood Jasperware

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, several artists and producers outside the Wedgwood tradition have created jasperware-inspired ceramics, emulating the matte stoneware body and raised white reliefs using alternative techniques and materials. George McMonigle, an American sculptor based in Pennsylvania and Hawaii, developed porcelain pieces mimicking jasperware's aesthetic, including plaques and tiles featuring neoclassical and mythological motifs. Working as Senior Director of Sculpture for the Franklin Mint until 2003, McMonigle produced limited-edition sets such as the 1988 mythology tiles and the "Lady and the Unicorn" series, cast in blue parian porcelain with fine relief details for decorative display.^[64] Contemporary ceramic artists continue this revival through accessible methods, adapting jasperware's look to modern studio practices. In 2023, medallic artist Ross Pollard demonstrated a technique using standard stoneware clay pigmented with cobalt oxide (at a 1:50 ratio) for the body, combined with sprig-molded white relief elements created from plaster molds of wax models. Fired to cone 6 in oxidation without glaze, these medallions achieve the signature matte finish and two-tone contrast, allowing individual makers to produce small-scale decorative objects inspired by neoclassical designs.^[65] Beyond traditional decorative wares, jasperware-style ceramics have found applications in jewelry and architectural elements. Artisans craft cameo pendants from stoneware or porcelain replicas, setting raised-relief profiles in silver or gold frames for wearable art, often drawing on classical motifs for contemporary accessories. In architecture, custom tiles echoing jasperware's relief patterns have been used for interior accents; for instance, McMonigle's large mythology tiles (measuring up to 11 inches) serve as wall-mounted focal points in modern interiors, blending historical homage with functional design.^[66]^[67] Sustainability has influenced recent productions, with makers incorporating recycled clays and low-energy firing to reduce environmental impact while replicating jasperware's durability. Pollard's approach, for example, relies on readily available stoneware scraps and minimal pigmentation, aligning with broader 2020s trends in eco-conscious ceramics that minimize waste through reclaiming and oxidation firing. These practices enable small-scale operations to produce viable alternatives without the resource-intensive processes of historical formulations.^[65]^[68] Collectibility of non-Wedgwood jasperware-inspired pieces has grown, particularly for limited editions from the Franklin Mint, with McMonigle's framed plaques fetching $50–$200 at auctions as of 2024 depending on condition and rarity. Market trends show rising interest in mid-century and contemporary imitations, driven by neoclassical revivals in interior design. Authentication relies on visual and material analysis: genuine inspired works exhibit true raised reliefs, matte unglazed surfaces, and maker's marks, while fakes often feature painted-on designs or glossy finishes; advanced verification may involve microscopic examination of clay composition, though spectrometry is rarely specified for routine appraisals.^[64]^[42]

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[25]
Jasper Ware - Digitalfire
When raw oxide colorants are employed (e.g. cobalt for blue) the porcelain formulation must be adjusted to compensate for the effect on degree of vitrification, ...
[26]
The Wedgwood handbook : a manual for collectors - Internet Archive
WEDGWOOD HANDBOOK. A MANUAL FOR COLLECTORS. TREATING OF THE MARKS, MONOGRAMS, AND OTHER. TESTS OF THE OLD ...
[27]
https://www.chairish.com/product/2296507/antique-wedgewood-blue-jasper-footed-dresser-box-classical
[28]
[PDF] The application of the complex engine turning lathe to the ...
Wedgwood claims, in his Commonplace book, that he first introduced engine lathe turning into the potteries in 1763, however from the above correspondence, at ...Missing: patented | Show results with:patented
[29]
Engine-turned decoration - CERAMICA CH
Josiah Wedgwood used a lathe that was perfected for pottery production (a rose and crown lathe), which he began to develop, together with John Taylor, a machine ...Missing: patented | Show results with:patented
[30]
Wedgwood's
### Summary of Jasperware Production Process and Historical Aspects
[31]
How Long Pottery Should Dry Before Firing
Jan 21, 2025 · On average, it should take 1 to 2 weeks for pottery to dry completely, sometimes longer, depending on conditions.
[32]
kiln firing - - ashbrook-ceramics -
The first firing, a bisque (biscuit), is between 900-1000°C. The second firing, a glost or glaze firing, depends upon what temperature the clay and glaze mature ...
[33]
What is the ideal bisque firing temperature to use? - Potclays
Stoneware and porcelain clays can generally be fired to 1000oC at biscuit stage because the clay will be fired to maturity during the glost firing.
[34]
https://potterycrafters.com/how-long-pottery-should-dry-before-firing/
[35]
Tips and Tools: Jasperware Inspired - Ceramic Arts Network
This article outlines an approach to making Jasperware-inspired medallions using ordinary stoneware clay in conjunction with traditional modeling and sprigging ...Molding · Sprigging · Firing
[36]
https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/sir-william-hamilton
[37]
A Passion for Antiquity: Sir William Hamilton and His Vase Collection
Oct 17, 2018 · Associate Museum Librarian Tamara Fultz discusses Sir William Hamilton's collection of Greek vases.
[38]
Wedgwood factory, The Pegasus Vase - Smarthistory
The decoration of the vase was modeled for Wedgwood by the artist John Flaxman junior (1755–1826). Flaxman adapted a variety of classical sources; the figures ...
[39]
https://rauantiques.com/blogs/canvases-carats-and-curiosities/a-colorful-world-of-innovation-wedgwoods-jasperware
[40]
https://www.thepotteries.org/mark/w/wedgwood-date.html
[41]
Dating Wedgwood - Thepotteries.org
In 1860-1863 March is M, May is Y and July is V. In 1864 March becomes R, May is M and July is L. In 1871 Wedgwood adopted pattern numbers with the code letter ...
[42]
Wedgwood Marks - Etruria Antiques Gallery
A three letter date code is sometimes found and starts in 1860 but is rarely found on jasper or basalt items; it absence is not indicative of any date. When ...Missing: systems history
[43]
Fakes & Forgeries: How to Spot Real Wedgwood | ItsAllOurVault
Jul 30, 2012 · I have been told this is not authentic Jasperware? ... Its dark blue and white design on it and mark at the bottom says WEDGWOOD ETRURIA ENGLAND.
[44]
Wedgwood Craftsmanship & Techniques - Wedgwood®
### Summary of Jasperware Forming and Shaping Methods
[45]
amphora; vessel (closed); cameo | British Museum
Height: 9.60 centimetres (handle): Height: 24.50 centimetres: Width: 1.80 ... The Portland Vase is the most famous of all objects to have passed through ...
[46]
Josiah Wedgwood's Portland Vase · V&A
### Summary of Wedgwood's Replication of the Portland Vase
[47]
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1802-0312-1
[48]
vase | British Museum
This vase is a copy by Josiah Wedgwood in blue jasper stoneware of the most famous ancient vases in the British Museum, the Roman 1st century AD cameo glass ...
[49]
Portland Vase, by Josiah Wedgwood, after the 1st BC century ...
1790./nThe original Portland Vase was made of cameo glass and dated from c. 30-20 BC. The Wedgewood copies were produced in a 'first edition' of about 50, ...Missing: price | Show results with:price
[50]
In the frame: Wedgwood's copies of the Portland Vase
Aug 7, 2020 · It was the first time in the ceramics world that limited editions were produced. To own one, you had to pay a £50 subscription beforehand – the ...
[51]
plaque | British Museum
This plaque is a direct copy of a Wedgwood plaque designed by John Flaxman, entitled The Apotheosis of Homer; for a Wedgwood original, c. 1778, see the ...
[52]
John Flaxman Josiah Wedgwood, Apotheosis of Homer, late 18th ...
Stoneware (jasperware) (18th and 19th Centuries ). This plaque has a light blue ground and is decorated with a scene of the Apotheosis of Homer in white relief.Missing: 1780s | Show results with:1780s
[53]
Apotheosis of Homer | Birmingham Museum of Art
Artist Wedgwood, England, est. 1759, John Flaxman, Jr., British, born York, 1755 - died 1826, London; Medium stoneware (jasperware); Dimensions 15 3/4 x 15 3 ...Missing: 1780s | Show results with:1780s
[54]
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-wedgwood-anti-slavery-medallion
[55]
Muses in La Martiniere's Constantia – a work of Wedgwood's ...
From 1775 he was employed by Josiah Wedgwood, modeling relief for use on the company's iconic Jasperware. ... She is often represented with a tragic mask ...
[56]
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/66185/anti-slavery-medallion
[57]
Josiah Wedgwood - Antislavery Medallion
In 1787, the Wedgwood ceramics firm issued a cameo medallion featuring a kneeling and shackled Black man with the inscription, "Am I not a man and a brother?"
[58]
Anti-Slavery Medallion | The Art Institute of Chicago
Made from Josiah Wedgwood's fashionable jasperware ceramic, more typically used to emulate ancient cameos, the plaque is framed by cut-steel “gems” and set in ...Missing: Emancipation | Show results with:Emancipation
[59]
Queen Victoria | Birmingham Museum of Art
Titles Queen Victoria (Descriptive); Artist Wedgwood, England, est. 1759; Medium stoneware (jasperware); Dimensions 1 15/16 x 1 15/16 x 3/8 in.Missing: cameo 1830s
[60]
Wedgwood (England) Jasperware urns - price guide and values
Wedgwood Jasperware pedestal urn, of baluster form with twin satyr handles, decorated with a frieze of classical dancing maidens, with decorative ...
[61]
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/Liu_Deming__IPSC_paper_2014.pdf
[62]
https://www.njherald.com/story/lifestyle/2015/05/22/wedgwood-like-plaques-are/4045368007/
[63]
[PDF] Wedgwood, Innovation and Patent - UC Berkeley Law
In the ensuing discussion, we discuss Wedgwood's patent and his defence for the patent. ... new mixing of Jasper, and find it very good…Sell what quantity you ...
[64]
'Wedgwood-like' plaques are works of German jasperware
May 22, 2015 · German jasperware is an imitation that lacks the artistry and attention to detail of real Wedgwood jasperware. Still, German jasperware can ...Missing: 1800 | Show results with:1800
[65]
Masterpieces Jean Baptiste Stahl
Exceptionally large and elaborately worked out wall plate in Phanolith. Dimensions: 220 cm x 60 cm. For the first time, the plate was shown at the World Fair ...
[66]
https://www.ebay.com/itm/157107418355
[67]
Rare McMonigle Jasperware Tiles Set of 2 Mythology Art Collectible ...
This rare set of 2 large McMonigle Jasperware tiles, created by artist George McMonigle in 1988, features a mythological theme in a neoclassical style.
[68]
Wedgwood Jasperware Jewelry - 16 For Sale on 1stDibs
Shop our wedgwood jasperware jewelry selection from top sellers and makers around the world. Global shipping available.
[69]
https://emersoncreekpottery.com/non-toxic-eco-friendly-pottery-housewares/