Keith Murray designed Wedgwood in the 1930s-40s

Keith Murray (1892 - 1981) was an architect and designer of pottery, glass and furniture who was born in Auckland, and educated in Auckland and London, and is considered one of the most influential designers of the early 20th century.

During World War I he served with the Royal Flying Corps, was mentioned in dispatches five times and awarded the Military Cross and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

After the war, still in his mid-twenties he studied architecture and graduated from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in 1921, but unable to find work in this field led more... him in the short term to become a magazine illustrator, and then in the early 1930s, a full time designer of vases and table wares.

He worked as a freelance designer at Stevens & Williams of Brierley Hill in the West Midlands in 1932 and the following year commenced designing on a part time basis for Wedgwood. He also created designs in metal for silversmiths, Mappin & Webb.

His first designs for Stevens & Williams, producers of high quality art glass, proved successful, and in the next seven years he produced over 1200 designs, each of which was produced in limited quantities.

For Wedgwood, his emphasis was on the semi-matt glaze, and he designed vases, bowls and similar cylindrical ware, executed in a clean and restrained style, with minimal monochrome decoration, often limited to deeply incised lines or smooth steps in the shape.

Each piece designed by Keith Murray bore his signature above the Wedgwood mark.

In 1936 Keith Murray was appointed architect in charge of designing the new Wedgwood factory at Barlaston, Staffordshire.

During World War II, he served again in the RAF, and after the war he returned to his first profession, architecture, vacating the field of industrial design. less...

The Wedgwood Pottery Company has been in operation for over 250 years. Founded in 1759 in England by Josiah Wedgwood, the company quickly became known for its high-quality pottery and innovative designs.

In the early years of the company, Josiah Wedgwood was focused on creating new types of pottery that would meet the demands of the changing market. He introduced a variety of new techniques, including the use of transfer printing, which allowed for intricate designs to be applied to pottery quickly and easily.

One of Wedgwood's most famous designs was the Jasperware line, which was introduced in more... the 1770s. This line featured a matte finish and was made in a variety of colours, including blue, green, and lilac. The Jasperware line proved to be incredibly popular and is still produced by Wedgwood to this day.

Over the years, Wedgwood has continued to innovate and introduce new designs. In the 19th century, the company introduced the Fairyland Lustre line, which was known for its whimsical and fantastical designs. Wedgwood also became known for its bone china, which was introduced in the early 20th century.

In addition to its pottery designs, Wedgwood has also been involved in various social causes throughout its history. In the late 18th century, Josiah Wedgwood was a prominent abolitionist and created a medallion featuring an image of a slave in chains with the words "Am I not a man and a brother?" This design became a symbol of the abolitionist movement and was widely circulated.

Wedgwood is known around the world for its high-quality pottery and continues to innovate and introduce new designs. The company has received numerous awards for its designs and is a favourite of collectors and enthusiasts alike. less...