There has long been speculation about figures marked WEDGWOOD (see blog posting of July 14, 2009). To start with, there is no evidence that Josiah Wedgwood's manufactory ever produced figures....yet we find figures marked WEDGWOOD. Some argue that these figures were made for Josiah Wedgwood by other potters (including Enoch Wood), and the Wedgwood manufactory then stamped its name on them. If this is the case, why do the detailed Wedgwood factory records not record them? Others speculate that the figures were made by Ralph Wedgwood, a nephew of Josiah's who operated his own manufactory. We may never know the answer, but recently this unusual figure came on the market. Rather than be marked WEDGWOOD, it is marked WEDGWOOD &CO
The figure is a whopping 19 1/2" tall. It is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, I have never seen it before and I have no idea who the lady respresents. Secondly, the mark WEDGWOOD & CO is not one I have seen hitherto on a figure. This mark was NOT used by Josiah Wedgwood. On the contrary, it was used by his nephew Ralph Wedgwood, apparently for a very short period at a pottery in Knottingley, West Yorkshire.
The Knottingley Pottery commenced in 1793 and operated under the name Tomlinson, Foster and Co. In June 1798, Ralph Wedgwood joined the Knottingley partnership, which was promptly renamed Tomlinson, Foster, Wedgwood and Co.--any smart business man would have wanted to add the famed Wedgwood name to the firm's letterhead. Ralph had lots of new ideas but alas the partnership did not have the capital to support them, so it was dissolved a mere eighteen months later. Our unknown lady dates from the period 1798-99. Nice to be able to date a figure with precision. Now we need to find out who she is. Any guesses?
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The Knottingley Pottery commenced in 1793 and operated under the name Tomlinson, Foster and Co. In June 1798, Ralph Wedgwood joined the Knottingley partnership, which was promptly renamed Tomlinson, Foster, Wedgwood and Co.--any smart business man would have wanted to add the famed Wedgwood name to the firm's letterhead. Ralph had lots of new ideas but alas the partnership did not have the capital to support them, so it was dissolved a mere eighteen months later. Our unknown lady dates from the period 1798-99. Nice to be able to date a figure with precision. Now we need to find out who she is. Any guesses?
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