November Feature Articles

Useful Thomas and Ralph Wedgwood – beginning a new appreciation, by Pat Halfpenny

Pat writes, "Many authors have written about Ralph Wedgwood, often dismissing him as a reluctant and inefficient potter – I am one of them. However, with the advent of digital resources that offer access to more original source material and the emergence of an increasing number of superior ceramics with Ralph Wedgwood’s marks, it seems an appropriate time to review his place in ceramic history. This paper is intended to be a starting point for that review and is presented in three main parts. First there is a brief history of Useful Thomas and Ralph Wedgwood, followed by an examination of the volume titled W. & Co Ferrybridge – Shape & Pattern Book, and lastly a discussion of some wares produced by Ralph Wedgwood." Read more.

#20 - Ways to Fit the Transfer Pattern Onto the Ware, by Connie Rogers

Imagine the dilemma the transferer faces when the engraving at hand is not large enough to cover the entire center of the platter being decorated. Perhaps the managers of the pottery did not think it was worth the expense of cutting a larger engraving because the platter was larger than ordinarily used in the standard dinner set. There were several ways this could be remedied. One solution to the problem was to add another layer of the border. An oblong shape platter 25.75 x 22 inches is shown in Figure 1, with the impressed maker’s name, J. F. Wileman, Fenton, Staffordshire, in Figure 2 (Database pattern ID# 14772)*. Read more.