Wedgwood has been one of the most influential and popular ceramic brands since the mid 18th century. Today some of the most sought after designs can sell for upwards of £100,000 at auction and knowing how to determine their age and authenticity can help in securing insurance and sales.
This guide will outline some of the most typical Wedgwood maker’s marks – a helpful place to start when assessing the potential era of the ceramic. In the 18th century, Wedgwood had several prominent markings in use. As seen below, these simply denote the name of the manufacturer with increasingly stylised lettering as printing technology advances.
Wedgwood markings are usually embossed into the surface. ‘Wedgwood and Bentley’ marks are present around the 1760s to 1780s when Josiah Wedgwood was working in partnership with Thomas Bentley, an important influence on the company’s famous neoclassical pieces.
Letters were introduced in 1860 to assist with dating the pieces. Embossed into the surface next to the Wedgwood name, they began with the letter O and existed until the early 20th century. Any marks after 1891 will have ‘England’ included, making them easier to determine.
For more information on Wedgwood history, materials and restoration, please click here.
How can we help?
Our conservation team is happy to offer advice and assist you with any restoration concerns. E-mail us via [email protected] or call 0207 112 7576 for more information.
