During the period when Bentley was associated with Etruria the following were impressed:—
WEDGWOOD
& BENTLEY.
or
Wedgwood
& Bentley.
The general mark used during this period was a circular one, the letters on which were raised and not sunk as in the others.
The marks WEDGWOOD & CO., or simply the word WEDGEWOOD, are both spurious, and were used by Messrs. William Smith and others of Stockton, against whom the firm at Etruria obtained an injunction restraining the imitators from using the name “Wedgwood,” or “Wedgewood” with an additional e. This was in 1848.
Of the varying vicissitudes of the Wedgwoods since the days of the great Josiah, we have had no space to allude. But it is sufficient proof that he laid a very sure foundation to a fine business, inasmuch as the firm is in flourishing condition at the present day, and from 1870 have made splendid porcelain.
His Queen’s ware, which he made for the Queen Consort of George III., was the prototype of the ordinary dinner ware of to-day. We reproduce a quaint old Wedgwood teapot with queer design upon it, representing the mill to grind old folks young.
It is a far cry from Queen Charlotte to President Roosevelt, but it is surely a singular record of a great firm that the Wedgwoods made the new service of china to be used on State occasions at the White House. The design has been copyrighted, thus ensuring its exclusive use. It is of simple gold pattern, bearing the great seal of the United States enamelled in colours upon it. The set consists of over a thousand pieces, and was ready early last year.
In the conclusion of the journey round the china shelf in this series of “Chats,” the writer trusts that they have stimulated the interest of the readers in their old china and have helped to solve certain dark riddles, and to give pedigree to “family jars.”
OLD WEDGWOOD TEAPOT.