V&A Wedgwood Collection

V&A Wedgwood Collection Celebrating the history and creativity of Wedgwood in the heart of the Potteries. Home of one of the finest ceramic collections in the world. Admission free.

Winner of the Art Fund Prize in 2009 and with astounding archives recognised by UNESCO's UK Memory of the World Register. Like the V&A Wedgwood Collection to discover the latest news from our collections and programmes, and to stay up to date with special events. Share your photos with us using

Open Wednesdays-Sundays. 10am-5pm.

This month’s ‘People of Wedgwood’ project post celebrates employee Cecil Haven (1893-1974). Haven began working for Wedg...
11/06/2025

This month’s ‘People of Wedgwood’ project post celebrates employee Cecil Haven (1893-1974). Haven began working for Wedgwood in 1910 as a salesman across European markets. In 1913, he opened an office and showroom in Berlin, but became trapped there when the First World War broke out in August 1914. He was arrested and managed to evade imprisonment twice before he was interned for the remainder of the war. Upon the breakout of the Second World War, he was able to board the last ship out of Dieppe.

As the war temporarily closed European markets, Haven’s interests turned to South America. He created new markets in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. He later worked as an adviser on South America to the Foreign Office. Haven retired in 1959.

This week’s showcases this green jasperware custard set, made in 1978. It includes a square tray and four covered cups...
06/06/2025

This week’s showcases this green jasperware custard set, made in 1978. It includes a square tray and four covered cups, all decorated with white acanthus and laurel leaf reliefs. Custard cups were small, covered vessels designed for serving desserts such as ice cream and custard.

Earlier in the unpacking project, we catalogued a single blue custard cup from the late 18th – early 19th century, offering a direct historical reference for this modern reproduction.

Only one more week until the opening of our Jasper 250 display! Here’s another teaser for you to enjoy. Listed as ‘Shape...
04/06/2025

Only one more week until the opening of our Jasper 250 display! Here’s another teaser for you to enjoy.

Listed as ‘Shape No. 631’ in ‘Wedgwood Shape Book No.1’, this late 18th century blue and white jasperware basket and cover is decorated with a hand pierced pattern. This type of decoration is principally found on ware made by Wedgwood during the late 18th century. The clay was pierced when in a ‘leather-hard’ state, with punches in a variety of shapes similar to those found on contemporary silver and metalwork. Other than baskets, the technique was used on plates, flower pots, bowls, vases, covers and ‘glaciers’ (covered ice-cream bowls).

From 1976 to 1978, sculptural ceramicist Glenys Barton (b. 1944) served as Wedgwood’s first Artist in Residence, collabo...
30/05/2025

From 1976 to 1978, sculptural ceramicist Glenys Barton (b. 1944) served as Wedgwood’s first Artist in Residence, collaborating closely with the factory to create a distinctive series of sculptures—some of which we have recently unpacked. Barton’s work explores the human form through recurring motifs such as figures, silhouettes, heads, and hands. One sculpture features a head split in two; another depicts a n**e male figure standing atop a shallow flight of stairs.

Only a few more weeks until the opening of ‘Jasper 250’! We’re sharing another stunning object which you can expect to f...
28/05/2025

Only a few more weeks until the opening of ‘Jasper 250’! We’re sharing another stunning object which you can expect to find in the display.

This necklace was part of a range designed by British jeweller Wendy Ramshaw (1939-2018) in the 1980s. The necklace features 49 white jasper beads, in a variety of spherical and conical geometric forms.

In the 1950s, Ramshaw trained at Newcastle-on-Tyne College of Art as an illustrator and industrial designer, with a year at Reading University studying for an art teacher’s diploma. Gradually she turned her talent to designing jewellery, and in 1982 collaborated with the Wedgwood factory. Here, she experimented with the traditional ceramic bodies of jasperware and black basalt, and historic factory methods, in order to produce a concept in jewellery.

This week's highlights recently unpacked items featuring the ‘Gold Marguerite’ pattern, which was mainly produced duri...
23/05/2025

This week's highlights recently unpacked items featuring the ‘Gold Marguerite’ pattern, which was mainly produced during the 1960s and 1970s. Among the objects is a smoking set, comprising of a jar, lighter, and cover, all designed to stack neatly for convenience. Another notable piece is an electric coffee pot. In 1967, Wedgwood partnered with Russell Hobbs to create ceramic electric coffee pots. Wedgwood crafted the ceramic bodies, while Russell Hobbs handled the electrical components.

Our ‘Jasper 250’ display is opening in June - here's another object you’ll find on show.This 1975 yellow jasperware figu...
21/05/2025

Our ‘Jasper 250’ display is opening in June - here's another object you’ll find on show.

This 1975 yellow jasperware figure of ‘Spring’ is decorated with a moulded design of a female and child surrounded by flowers and animals - including birds, lambs, sheep and squirrels. The figure is styled as a ‘Staffordshire Flatback’, moulded only on the front and slim enough to fit on a narrow shelf.

The design was modelled by Donald Brindley (1928-2023). Brindley was born in Staffordshire and studied sculpture at the Royal College of Art under sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986). Early in his career he worked across the potteries, designing various wares in modern shapes. He became a design consultant to Roy Austin, one of the chief modellers for Wedgwood.

🚨 Event alert! 🚨V&A Wedgwood Collection Assistant Curator Michael Ruddy will be delivering a free online lecture 'The Ar...
20/05/2025

🚨 Event alert! 🚨
V&A Wedgwood Collection Assistant Curator Michael Ruddy will be delivering a free online lecture 'The Ark': Wedgwood and European Refugees, 1933 -1945' on Tuesday 17 June 2025, 6-7pm.

The lecture is part of the programme at Insiders Outsiders Festival - a celebration of the indelible and pervasive contribution of refugees from N**i-dominated Europe to British culture.

To book tickets please follow this link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/insiders-outsiders/the-ark-wedgwood-and-european-refugees-1933-1945/e-zoalyy

Michael will share stories including that of Ulla Goodman (1924-1981), who escaped N**i persecution to England in July 1939, never to see her parents again. Goodman was one of many European refugees invited by Josiah Wedgwood IV to live in his Staffordshire bungalow, known as the 'Ark'.

After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1953, Goodman was recruited by Wedgwood to work as a full-time designer for the company. She contributed to Wedgwood’s post-war recovery with her 'Tiger Lily' pattern which proved immensely popular in the UK and US.

Her pattern was used to decorate this Wedgwood earthenware teapot, made about 1956.

This week’s highlights British designer Nick Munro (b. 1963) collaboration with Wedgwood in 1999. His designs blended ...
16/05/2025

This week’s highlights British designer Nick Munro (b. 1963) collaboration with Wedgwood in 1999. His designs blended function with striking forms in black and white jasperware as well as bone china.

As part of the unpacking project, we have recently catalogued a range of Munro's creations, showcasing his unique designs - these include, ice buckets, vases, espresso cups, and even pet bowls!

In June 2025, the V&A Wedgwood Collection will be unveiling a new display celebrating the 250th anniversary of jasperwar...
14/05/2025

In June 2025, the V&A Wedgwood Collection will be unveiling a new display celebrating the 250th anniversary of jasperware.

In the lead up, we are sharing some of the stunning and unusual objects you can expect to find on display.

The first object is this 1978 green ‘dip’ jasperware coffee pot and cover, finely decorated with engine-turned decoration, exposing the contrasting white body underneath. Each diced element is delicately ornamented with lilac quatrefoils and laurel borders are applied to the spout, handle and upper body.

As part of the unpacking project, we’ve uncovered glass as well as ceramic objects. These bowls, catalogued recently, fe...
09/05/2025

As part of the unpacking project, we’ve uncovered glass as well as ceramic objects. These bowls, catalogued recently, featured in the distinctive Wedgwood 'Contrasts' range, launched about 2000. The range included a mix-and-match design that blended classic Wedgwood patterns - such as Florentine, Ulander, and Colonnade. Bone china and glass bodies were included within the range.

🚨 New social media series! 🚨 For the first Wednesday of each month, we’ll be spotlighting our on-going ‘People of Wedgwo...
07/05/2025

🚨 New social media series! 🚨 For the first Wednesday of each month, we’ll be spotlighting our on-going ‘People of Wedgwood’ project. Each post will celebrate the diverse stories and invaluable contributions of those who have been employed by Wedgwood.

This month, we're highlighting Thomas Allen (1831-1915), one of the greatest ceramic artists of the 19th century. He joined Wedgwood around late 1875 having already gained a reputation as a figure painter and with a significant knowledge concerning the tile industry.

Under Allen's influence the output and range of studio and art wares grew greatly, and he was particularly renowned for his production of new tableware designs. A number of Allen’s original designs survive in the Wedgwood archives and a sizeable collection of his ceramic designs are present in galleries and reserve stores.


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Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston
Stoke-on-Trent
ST129ER

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