Cooper Hewitt says...
Josiah Wedgwood and Sons was founded in Burslem-Staffordshire, England in May 1759. Throughout the 18th century the company produced ceramic products, the most popular of which was Jasperware, a stoneware, which was created to look like ancient Roman cameo glass. Also, produced at this time was a cream colored eathernware product that was favored by Queen Charlotte which became known as Queensware. Inspired by an ancient Roman vessel known as the Portland Vase, Wedgwood utilized motifs from ancient cultures, particularly Roman, Greek and Egyptian. During this period Wedgwood also produced a black stoneware known as Black Basalt.
Into the 19th century the company became successful producing hard-paste porcelain and then bone china. They also produced the first colored earthenware.
In the 1930s the company moved to Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent from Staffordshire. In 1980s, Wedgwood collaborated with jeweler Wendy Ramshaw to produce a collection in black basalt and white jasperware stoneware, their traditional wares. The collaboration yield jewelry pieces that celebrated their traditional, British roots while at the same time saluting the modern, minimalist aesthetic of Ramshaw. The collection was launched in 1982. In 1987 Josiah Wedgwood and Sons merged with Waterford Crystal.
