The first stoneware to be used by the Thomas Bentley and Josiah Wedgwood partnership for ornamental purposes was the fine-grained, black composition clay known as basalt, in 1773 (previously referred to as Etrisean). It is possible that Wedgwood invented black basalt, but if so he never claimed credit for it. Basalt was chosen for the ‘First Day’s Vases’ (six of which were made and thrown by Wedgwood himself), to open the Etruria Factory, especially built for the ornamental partnership. Unfortunately, only four of them survived the firing.
Black Basalt
Early black basalt pieces have a polished appearance and are silky to the touch. The body was made of local clay, mixed with ground ironstone and manganese oxide. The silky quality was brought out on a lapidary’s wheel, and vases were polished in the ‘cheese hard state’. Cameo’s and intaglio’s were especially popular; the intaglio’s being used as seals. Portraits were also produced, as were plaques. John Flatman junior was employed by the partnership and was said to be one of the most talented British sculptors. John Flatman senior supplied the partnership with models and casts.
An excellent example of black basalt was a pair of vases known as the wine and water ewers, titled ‘Sacred to Bacchus’ and ‘Sacred to Neptune’, the satyr symbolizing wine and the triton riding a dolphin representing water. They are among the most elaborate pieces ever produced by the Wedgwood factory.
Caneware
An unglazed composition, or ‘dry body’, Caneware was so named due to it’s resemblance to bamboo. It has a slightly lower firing temperature than true stoneware, and is normally pale yellow in colour, although it can be darker, and is non-porous. Its composition, as given by Josiah Wedgwood, is as follows:
- 20 parts porbeck clay
- 4 parts red clay
- 5 parts calcined flint
- 3 parts alabaster
- ½ parts imestone
- 1/16 parts smalt (deep blue powdered glass)
A famous caneware piece is a medallion depicting a kneeling slave in relief. It has a basalt frame and the inscription ‘am I not a man and a brother’, and is believed to have been modeled by Hackwood. This is an extremely rare piece, only one other example is known..
Jasper Ware
Jasper Ware was Wedgwoods greatest contribution to ceramic bodies, and was entirely original. It is a fine-grained stoneware, containing a carbonate or sulphite of baryts, which can be translucent, and can also be stained with metal oxides to colour it (most commonly blue, from cobalt). Jasper ware was only perfected in 1775, and was the subject of many trials up until the 1790’s. From these trials and his letters to Bentley, we see how dedicated Wedgwood was.
An unusual white body, often speckled, which Wedgwood called his ‘waxen composition’ was very likely the forerunner to Jasper ware, although it bears little resemblance to the later white Jasper body. Two interesting pieces of Jasper ware are a pair of pedestals, most probably intended as supports for figurines. They are thought to be the forerunners of the vases, ewers and tea ware made in Jasper ware after Bentley’s death, yet there is speculation that they are misfired rejects.
After Josiah's death in 1795, the Wedgwood factory was run by his nephew Thomas Byerley, and John and Josiah Wedgwood, his sons. During the 1840’s the company experienced some difficulties, but survived them, and went on to enjoy renewed prosperity and originality during the Victorian Age.
There were many changes towards the 20th Century, especially towards the modern movement Britain experienced during the 20’s and 30’s. It is said that Josiah Wedgwood is not an artist or philosopher, but a businessman and enthusiast. The relationship between art and science was of great interest to him, and was a vital part of his ceramics. His tendency towards perfection, as well as his dedication, is an inspiration that all ceramicists should aspire to.
Sources:
- Dawson, A Masterpieces of Wedgwood British Museum Publications Ltd (1984)
- Cooper, E A History of World Pottery B.T. Batsford Ltd (1972)
- Foley, T At Home with Wedgwood clarkson potter (2009)
- Various New Book of Knowledge Vol A & P Grolier Enterprises (1982)
Mellissa Bushby - Mellissa Bushby is an author, illustrator and ceramicist. She studied Fine Art for four years, and her newest book release is January ...
