Jasperware

An American version of jasperware produced c. 1846, depicting Native Americans in a neoclassical style.

Jasperware vase and cover, John Flaxman, Wedgwood, England, About 1780, Unglazed stoneware V & A Museum no. 2416-1901 Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Jasperware, or jasper ware, is a type of stoneware first developed by Josiah Wedgwood, although some authorities have described it as a type of porcelain. It is noted for its matte finish and is produced in a number of different colours, of which the best known is a pale blue that has become known as 'Wedgwood Blue'.

The term "jasper" is not the personal name Jasper in this context, but the name of a mineral; it comes from the Greek ἴασπις iaspis, itself of oriental origin and related to the Hebrew ישפה yashpeh, for an opaque variety of quartz, usually red, yellow or brown.

Dating Jasperware

Wedgwood jasperware can often be dated by the style of potter's marks, although there are exceptions to the rules:

• Before 1860: Mark is "Wedgwood". Usually accompanied by other potter markings and a single letter.
• After 1860: A three-letter mark represents in order, the month, the potter, and the year. The year code starts mid-alphabet with the letter "O" for 1860, the letter "P" for 1861, etc., returning to "A" after "Z". For certain letters there are two possible year dates.
• 1891-1908: Marks are "Wedgwood", "England", separated.
• 1908-1969: Marks are "Wedgwood", "Made in England", separated, or "Wedgwood England" on small objects like thimbles.
• 1970-present: Mark is "Wedgwood Made in England" as single stamp

Jasperware button (courtesy of Peach State Button Club).

Wedgwood

Wedgwood's main designs are jasperware and black basalt. Many of the Wedgwood designs were based on the art of making cameo glass and on the looks of The Portland Vase.

German Jasperware

Jean-Baptiste Stahl developed his own style and techniques during his work at Villeroy & Boch in Mettlach, Saar, Germany. The name Phanolith was coined for this kind of jasperware. His work is praised for the translucency of the white porcelain on a colored background. JBS's work is known for its refined modelling and the vibrancy of its figures. He thus combined the benefits of jasperware and pate sur pate. A stand at the World's Fair 1900 in Paris was the first major public presentation of his work and gained him a gold medal. For this event, two huge wall plates were created with dimensions of 220 cm x 60 cm, each.

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  Phanolith plaque at the height of his work.

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  .Full signature JStahl.

External links

• Wedgwood buttons, made 1785-1800, from the Victoria & Albert Museum jewellery collection.