This guide will define the main types of English dry bodied stoneware, introduce principal makers, and discuss the dating of Wedgwood Jasperware. 

There are three main types of English Dry Bodied Stoneware:

• Red Stoneware

• Black Basalt

• Jasperware

Red Stoneware

There are examples of Chinese red stoneware tea services being imported into Europe in the 1660's.  The red stoneware teapots were rare, valued oriental treasures in collector's cabinets.  With the rising popularity of tea (around 1670) demand for teapots increased, and red ceramic teapots appeared in more affluent households in England.

English engine turned jug c.1775 (Photo: McConnell)

Red stoneware is non-porous and is characterized by a fine-grained dry bodied surface.  It is unglazed and was first produced in England by John Dwight who patented wheel-thrown red stoneware vessels in 1684.  The process was copied by the Dutch Elers brothers who transplanted it to the Staffordshire area.  There is a lull in production of English stoneware until the mid Eighteenth Century when several Staffordshire Potters it was revived and improved the process of producing wheel thrown, molded, and slip cast dry bodied stoneware vessels. 

Black Basalt

Josiah Wedgwood, FRS

Black Basalt is a hard vitreous stoneware that was the first ornamental ware to be developed by Josiah Wedgwood.  It was named after volcanic rock of the same name that is characteristically dark.  This was in 1768 and it was extensively used for both "useful" ware and for plaques, vases, busts, and medallions.  Wedgwood's black basalt ware was a marked improvement on the stained earthenware known as Egyptian Black made by other Staffordshire potters.  The fine grain, rich hue, and smooth texture of black basalt was quickly appreciated and in 1773 Wedgwood wrote, "The Black Basalt is sterling and will last forever."

Acquire your own treasure!

Black Basalt was manufactured by numerous Staffordshire potteries.   Wares by Spode & Copeland (generally known as Spode till 1833), Adams and Ridgway were usually marked.  However, there are many potteries that produced unmarked Basalt.  Collectors might look for special Egyptian commemoratives with gilding that is like "icing on a cake".  The anti-slavery medallion, depicting a slave and reflecting Wedgwood's convictions, has become quite valuable.  A reproduction was issued in the twentieth century. 

      

The Wedgwood Basalts and Jasperware make a striking grouping as seen here in friend Peggy's display cases.

Jasperware

Jasperware has been a perennial favorite among collectors since the Eighteenth Century.  Many of the decorative designs are based on the contributions by the Adams family of Scottish architects/artists who brought neo classicism into vogue in England.  Blue Jasperware was first produced in 1774.  Wedgwood had perfected the product by 1780 and it is still produced today in an array of colors, including:

• Portland BlueThe famous Portland vase
• Traditional Wedgwood Blue
• Royal Blue
• Turquoise
• Primrose
• Yellow Buff
• Terracotta
• Sage Green
• Olive Green
• Sea Green
• Spruce Green
• Lime
• Lilac
• Black
• White
• Pink
• Grey
• Crimson
• Wine
• Teal
• Taupe
• Chocolate Brown

Choose your favorite color!

The ground color was either added directly into the clay or dipped.  The relief decorations are usually sprigged figures or garlands of white to contrast dramatically with a colored ground.  Many of the finest designs were the work of a British artist named John Flaxman. 

The choices offered by Wedgwood have a distinctly classical feel with many scenes gathered from Greek mythology.  After Josiah's death in 1795, the Wedgwood business fell into relative disarray for the lack of a strong guiding hand.  Production of jasperware and other lines dropped off, creating additional
demand for the popular wares formerly dominated by Wedgwood.  Beginning around 1800, jasperware was produced by Dudson, Adams, Turner, Ridgway, Robinson & Leadbeater, Copeland & Spode (example shown in photo directly below), Samuel Searle, and a few others.  Non-Wedgwood jasperware production reached its peak in England in the 1840s and 1850s.

Later in the 19th century, several porcelain companies in Thuringia in eastern Germany took up production of jasperware.  Most prominent among them were Schafer & Vater of Rudolstadt, Triebner & Ens (the Oldest Volkstedt Porcelain Factory), Mettlach (Villeroy & Boch), Heubach Brothers, the Royal Rudolstadt Company, and Kalk porcelain Factory of Eisenberg.

In the first half of the 20th century, jasperware was produced by Ecanada in Canada (example in photo directly above).  After WW II, the Nippon porcelain Company and other Japanese companies produced jasperware--much of it in imitation of the blue and white classical ware produced by German Schaefer & Vater (which possibly entered Japan before and during the war) rather than the Wedgwood versions that were cut off from Japan.  The Lefton Company of Chicago also commissioned jasperware from Japan and added this to its line of china produced in Japan and (later) Taiwan.

Early French Revolution jasperware commemorative.  Besides supporting the movement toward democracy in the United States, Wedgwood lent support to both the French Revolution and Napoleonic Revolutions.

Dating Wedgwood Jasperware

Wedgwood was the first potter to place markings on the back of his wares.  This happened in 1759 with the name WEDGWOOD simply engraved on the back.  Before the advent of the dating system in 1860 one must look to other clues to date pieces.   Color is an important factor in determining age.  The following information may assist in dating colored Jasperware and is used with permission:

Black Dip Black dip produced 1778-c.1826, 1844-1941, 1948-86 with prestige and special order items thereafter. 
Solid Solid Black in production 1778-c.1826, c.1866-1941, 1948-86, phased out by 1977 except for collectors items - for bas-relief work, and for ornamental pieces in the 20th century.  (Black Jasper and Basalt, although they are both dry-bodied ware, are two entirely different things.) 
Black, Barbarini Dip Solid Blue-Black pieces dipped in Black, made specifically for the Portland Vase, 1789-90. 

Blue, Dark Blue Colbalt Dip Dark Blue dip produced from 1777-c.1820, 1866-1941. Dark Blue or Cobalt Blue hues range from bright deep blue to dark navy blue. Some Dark Blue items are early solid Pale Blue items which were dipped in Dark Blue slip to save on costly cobalt oxide. 
Blue, Mazarine Dip Mazarine Blue dip produced from 1777-c.1820. 
Blue, Midnight Solid Pieces of this color were produced in 1999, as part of the modern "Interiors" line of vases, bowls etc. Colors in this line were also Primrose and Lilac, however, printed designs, and not bas-reliefs were featured on this ware. 
Blue, Pale Dip Pale Blue dip produced 1777-1826, 1841-1941, 1948-86, to Present. 
Solid Solid Blue produced 1775-c.1820, 1860-1941, 1948. 
Blue, Portland Solid Portland Blue first produced 1969. Introduced 1972, production was for a short period. Produced again in 1980.   Revived in 1992. 
Blue, Royal Solid Royal Blue introduced 1953 (To celebrate the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth), produced for a short period, 1-3 years, discontinuation date unknown.)  Revived in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty.  Revived in 1980 for a full size 'Portland Vase' production, limited edition of fifty. 
Dip Royal Blue dip produced in 1989 only.

Brown, Chocolate Dip Chocolate Brown dip produced for trials c.1777.5 
Solid Solid Chocolate Brown items produced 1779-c.1820. 
Brown, Taupe Solid Taupe introduced 1982.

Crimson Dip Crimson dip production occured initially during the late 1800's, c.1880.1
Short production attempted again in 1910, with more general production from 1925-32, but was discontinued due to color bleeding. The color of Crimson dip varies from a scarlet-like shade, through to a dark burgundy hue due to the unstable nature of this colored slip. 

Wine Solid Wine (also incorrectly referred to as Crimson) introduced 2002, pieces seemingly made for a limited overseas market. 

Green, Celadon Solid Celadon dip produced only in 1879 for Boehm's bust of Gladstone.2 
Green, Dysart (Peach) Solid Dysart dip produced only in 1882 for Buckminster Park work.2 
Green, Lime Solid Lime Green, date unknown, possibly c.1980's. Color developed for Barclay's Bank only.3 
Green, Sea Solid Sea Green (Eau de Nil/Water of the Nile), 1988. Color developed for Lloyd's of London only.3 
Green, Olive Dip Olive dip produced c.1875 and earlier.4
Short production c.1910. Dark Olive Green produced more generally from 1920-30. 
Green, Sage Dip Sage Green dip produced 1777-1826, 1843-1941. Re-introduced after 1948 for special orders and trials only. 
Solid Solid Sage produced 1775-1820, 1860-1941, 1950-86.  
Green, Spruce Dip Spruce Green introduced 1997, produced until 1999. 
Green, Teal Dip Teal dip produced c.1890-c.1930. Dipped Teal items can be found in three shades; light, medium, and dark. 
Solid Solid Teal introduced 1984 (To celebrate 225 years of Wedgwood.) - produced until c.1989.  
Green, Turquoise Dip Turquoise dip produced c.1875-c.1885.

Grey Dip 'Quaker' Grey dip produced in 1879 only. 
Solid Solid Grey produced 1777-c.1820. Produced again in c.1960 for trials only. Re-introduced 1991, discontinued to unpopularity.

Lilac Dip Lilac dip produced 1777-1820, 1860-c.1920. 
Solid Solid Lilac produced originally only for bas-relief work, 1777-c.1790. Limited quantities, 1959. Full production 1960-64. Re-introduced 1980-1984. Limited quantities, 1989, 1990, 1999.  Lilac hues range from pink-toned lilac, a peach-toned lilac, and through to a grey-toned lilac.

Pink Solid Pink introduced 1982.

Terracotta Solid Solid Terracotta introduced for bas-relief work from 1775, with full production from 1957-1959. Limited quantities thereafter. At time of 1957 issue, the color looked a dark salmon pink hue with White or Black bas-relief work.

Yellow Dip Yellow dip produced from 1777-c.1820, 1869-1890. 
Solid Solid Yellow produced 1777-c.1820. 
Yellow, Buff Dip Buff Yellow dip produced from c.1778, in small quantities. 
Solid Solid Buff Yellow produced 1929-1933 with Black bas-relief work. 
Yellow, Cane Dip Cane Yellow dip produced in 1805 only. 
Solid Solid Cane Yellow introduced 1998. 
Yellow, Primrose Solid Primrose Yellow produced 1976-1982, utilized for a small range of items including the 'Prunus' and 'Bamboo' wares, with White or Terracotta bas-relief.  Introduced to commemorate Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee. 

White Solid Solid White produced 1774-c.1826, 1844-1941, 1946-1986. c.2000.

The above excerpt is from the website: Wedgwood Jasper - A Color and Date Guide for Collectors.  Please visit L. Young’s About Me  page for further information.                       © L. Young 2003-2006

          

The Jasperware inserts in these limited edition Wedgwood mugs commemorate The Silver Wedding of Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.  Author's collection. 

For more information, please see my eBay guide Royalty Commemoratives.

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