Wedgwood Marks: How to Identify and Date Them

Josiah Wedgwood I began impressing/stamping marks on the base of his wares as a mark of authenticity and quality -- at the time, Staffordshire potters generally did not mark their products. The company's replica of the 'Portland Vase' design was later used on its backstamp for many years.

• After the Portland Vase project (late 18th century): The company's replica of the 'Portland Vase' design was printed on the backstamp and used for a long period.

Josiah Wedgwood founded the business in 1759, was named 'Potter to Her Majesty' in 1766 after his cream-colored earthenware became known as 'Queen's ware', and died in 1795 (source: V&A, 'Wedgwood: An introduction', https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/wedgwood-an-introduction, original text 'its foundation in 1759'). The Metropolitan Museum of Art independently attributes a jasperware relief medallion to 'Josiah Wedgwood and Sons (British, Etruria, Staffordshire, 1759-present)' (source: the Met's Collection API, object 199092). Within budget, no source meeting the verbatim-quote standard could be found detailing Wedgwood's specific year/month-code dating rules (e.g. impressed letter date codes, 'England'/'Made in England' export marks), so the dating method, common fakes, and mark location fields are left blank rather than filled in from memory.

Turn the piece over and light the mark from a low angle with a lamp or phone torch, which throws the impressed or engraved lines into relief; a printed or painted mark wants soft, even light instead. Fill the frame with the mark, then take a second shot of the whole piece. Do not clean tarnish off silver before photographing; the mark reads better dark. The app matches the mark and shape to the notes above.