Antiques Hunter

 

 

The vintage object that I have chosen from Trade Me is a dark blue Jasperware Teapot.

Jasperware is a type of fine-grained, unglazed stoneware that was introduced by the English potter Josiah Wedgwood in 1775. Its name comes from the natural stone jasper because it resembles the stones hardness. Jasper is naturally white and is stained with colouring agents. The earliest jasper was stained throughout and was known as “solid”, whereas the later varieties were coloured only on the surface and were known as a “dip”. Typically they are blue and are decorated with fine white cameo figures inspired by the ancient Roman Portland Vase, showing a neoclassical style.

The interior of this particular jasperware teapot is white, indicating that this is a later version the exterior has been ‘dipped’ in dark blue. The teapots separate marks WEDGWOOD and ENGLAND show that this was manufactured between 1891-1908. Neoclassical style is illustrated through the decoration of white Grecian women in flowing robes, trees and wreaths of leaves. The reference to the Greeks, the white and the natural elements of the decoration are all aspects that represent the neoclassical style. The simple, logical design of the teapot is practical and is also associated to neoclassicism. 

Winckelmann states that “There is but one way for the moderns to become great, and perhaps unequalled, by imitating the ancients.” Imitating the ancients was how Wedgwood had their greatest achievement through the reproduction of the Ancient Roman Portland Vase, making jasperware the most wanted decorative pottery in England. Today Wedgwood products are still being produced, marketing directly to collectors.