Wood.—Ralph Wood, of Burslem, was a potter in the first half of last century. He was probably brother of Aaron Wood, and son of Ralph Wood, miller, of Burslem. Specimens of his ware, which is of the same general character as Whieldon’s, bear the mark
and others R. WOOD, or “Ra. Wood.” Aaron Wood, son of “Ralph Wood, of Burslem, in the county of Stafford, miller,” was apprenticed in 1731, to “Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, of Burslem, potter;” the indentures being dated the 23rd August in that year.[46]
When out of his time Wood continued with the same master, Dr. Wedgwood, for five years, at five shillings per week. Afterwards he worked principally at making moulds for the then very fashionable embossed ware, erroneously known as “Elizabethan ware” (at which he was remarkably clever), for Thomas Whieldon and others. He next engaged, as already stated, in 1743, with John Mitchell, of Burslem, a rival of Dr. Thos. Wedgwood, to work solely for him for seven years, at seven shillings a week, and half-a-guinea every 11th November. About 1750 he began business for himself in making salt-glazed white stoneware or crouch-ware. Dying about 1780, he was succeeded by his youngest son Enoch Wood, “the Father of Pottery” as he is sometimes called. Enoch Wood was a good practical potter, and a modeller of no little skill for the period. In 1781 he produced a bust of John Wesley (who used to stay at his house when in the Potteries, and sat to him for the purpose) which became very popular. He was at one time joined in partnership by Mr. James Caldwell, under the style of “Wood and Caldwell” (which see). In the early part of this century Mr. Wood formed, at considerable labour, a collection of pottery, which, after his death, was dispersed; some of his specimens are in the Museum of Practical Geology, and others in the Dresden Museum. The firm in 1792 was carried on as “Enoch Wood & Co.,” and later on, after he took his son into partnership, “Enoch Wood & Sons.” The marks, so far as I am aware, used by Enoch Wood are E. WOOD, or ENOCH WOOD, or ENOCH WOOD & CO., and later on, ENOCH WOOD & SONS impressed in the body of the ware. The firm was succeeded by Messrs. Pinder, Bourne, and Hope.
Figs. 363 to 365.
Wood and Caldwell.—This firm (Enoch Wood and James Caldwell) produced earthenware of very superior character, both in ordinary articles and services of various kinds. Some of their tea-pots were of admirable design and excellent workmanship. Busts and small statuettes were also extensively made, as were highly ornamented candlesticks. Good examples are found in the Jermyn Street Museum. The usual marks, impressed, are
WOOD & CALDWELL
BURSLEM
Staffordshire
or WOOD & CALDWELL.