Wedgwood Jewellery was first made 200 years ago when Josiah Wedgwood ( 1739-95) introduced his much prized Jasper ‘body’ in 1774. Small Jasper cameos were produced in great variety for jewellery, many being set in cut- steel mounts designed and made by Josiah’s eminent Friend Matthew Boulton of Birmingham.
Cameos in this new material – a fine-grain stoneware capable of being stained in a wide variety of colours – were decorated with classical bas-reliefs, designed by leading artists such as John Flazxman and William Hackwood. Wedgwood jewellery became enormously popular in the 18th century and Josiah produced cameos for brooches, chatelaines, pendants, combs, patch boxes and perfume bottles.
Today the complete production of Wedgwood jewellery takes place n Stoke-on-Trent, the centre of the English ceramic industry. The range includes over 100 different items in Jasper and Black Basalt and comprises a wide variety of personal jewellery including brooches, rings, pendants, cuff links, tie tacks, pins and earrings.
Constant design work ensures a steady introduction of new items that reflect the traditional values for which Wedgwood is known, while meeting the requirements of modern fashion. Many of the mounts are produced in Sterling silver and 9-carat gold and all these bear the ‘hallmark’ guaranteeing the purity of the precious metal used.
Watch out for over 40 items of this very collectable Wedgwood jasper jewellery appearing on antiquesavenue within the next few days.
