Wedgwood pottery designed by Eric Ravilious, 1940s-70s

Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) was an artist, designer and book illustrator. He studied at Eastbourne and Brighton Schools of Art and the Royal College of Art.

Most of his work was in printmaking and book illustrating, but in 1936 he was commisioned by Wedgwood to make a series of designs for Wedgwood. Most of his work for Wedgwood was in tableware and the designs included the children's "Alphabet" set and "Garden" (both in 1937) and "Garden Implements" and "Persephone" (both in 1938). He desinged the Wedgwood Coronation mugs for Edward VIII (never issued) and George VI (1937) and this more... latter design was reissued for the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. His last design for Wedgwood was in 1940.

In 1941 Eric Ravilious was appointed an official war artist, and he died in active service the following year while taking part in an air-sea rescue off the coast of iceland. 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...