WEDGWOOD TABLEWARE

Wedgwood has been an international company for over two centuries. Founded in 1759 upon the highest standards to uphold these essential factors in maintaining its leading position throughout the markets of the world. The founder, (1730-1795), who is remembered as the Father of English Potters, was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, in the heart of the English potteries. He served his apprenticeship as a potter before setting up his own business in 1759. By 1766 he had prospered sufficiently to build a new factory which he named Etruria. Josiah was to sow the first seeds of the innovative spirit which continues to be an integral part of Wedgwood. During his lifetime he invented and produced what remain today three of Wedgwoods most famous ceramic bodies - Queens Ware (1762), Black Basalt (1768) and finally Jasper (1774). In the nineteenth century, important progress was made at the Wedgwood factory in the use of new machinery, the introduction of the first coloured earthenware bodies and, most importantly, the manufacture of bone china. Wedgwood bone china tableware was to grace the tables of many illustrious homes throughout the world, including the dinner service which President Theodore Roosevelt ordered for the White House. During the 1930s, when many English potteries were forced to close down due to unfavourable conditions, Wedgwoods success continued and in order to increase efficiency, the fifth Josiah Wedgwood decided to build a new factory. A country estate near the village of Barlaston was purchased and a new, modern factory was built. Production started in the 1940s and since then, the factory has expanded to four times its original size. It is the British pottery industrys most up-to-date factory. Here, Wedgwood continues its living tradition of progress in design, in production methods and in the skills of its many craftspeople.Kelly's new range for Wedgwood builds on the success of her designs to date. She has designed three stunning new patterns in fine bone china on the new 'Plato' shape. The china items are complemented by a range of accessories in glass, cast iron and wood. Kelly Hoppen is best known as the interior designer whose calm, elegant aesthetic style has been a major design influence for over twenty years. She has written a number of best selling books on her subject.