A new book—WEDGWOOD A Story of Creation & Innovation, by Gaye Blake-Roberts Curator of the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, is masterfully laid out, designed, photographed, & styled. Blake-Roberts with her collaborators has breathed new life into your grandmother's Wedgwood.
With more and more throwaway design, the artistry of Wedgwood is a treasure, as is the book. It's beautiful.
I've long found the dusty colors of WEDGWOOD magical. Josiah Wedgwood's 5000 trials between the years of 1772 to 1774, are a testament to his determination to perfect his Jasper production.
trays of Jasper Trials (below)
The book's section with pages from the Wedgwood pattern books, catalogs, and archives is a study in the illustrations of the pieces proposed and the abundance of creative minds that designed Wedgwood.
the Fairyland Lustre Pattern Book, c 1915
one of Wedgwood's 26 "JAPAN" patterns, c 1815.
Two designs for a Toilet Ewer in the Cornflower and Strawberry patterns, c, 1917.
A Wedgwood centerpiece bowl in detail— with blue jasper overlayed in a white and yellow strapwork basketweave pattern. The full-blown bowl, c 1790, appears to echo the elaborate nature of the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion that was being built in 1787.
Having just returned from Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Post's Washington D.C. estate with her extensive (is it 1700 pieces?), I have a greater appreciation for the intricacies and artistry of porcelain, and the book WEDGWOOD is a porcelain lover's dream—book.
This book looks magical. I will try to get a copy, but you certainly have selected the most fascinating illustrations of those trials and patterns. Wedgwood lovers should know about the magnificent 1796 Broadwood piano set with Wedgwood medallions and now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Perhaps it is illustrated in the book, but here is a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mfa.org/collections/object/grand-piano-51248
--Jim
it's a truly beautiful book, lots of patterns which I love! I'd not have thought it but one of my absolute favorites of the season. pgt
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