V&A Wedgwood Collection

22/06/2026

Reminder: Calling all Teachers!

Sign up to our FREE CPD on 14 July for an inspiring and hands-on event.

Rooted in the V&A’s DesignLab Nation (DLN) National Schools Programme, this continuing professional development session will explore how historic objects can spark rich, contemporary classroom practice.

Participants will experience a range of practical activities, including object-based learning in the gallery, artist-led drawing exercises, and a collaborative clay-making workshop. The evening will also highlight further opportunities for schools, including resources and how to get involved in next year's DesignLab Nation project.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your curriculum, build confidence with materials, or connect with other educators, this CPD offers space to reflect, make and reimagine your practice.

DesignLab Nation specifically targets KS3-4 students, however we warmly welcome all phases, including secondary, primary, SEND, artist educators and teaching assistants to join this event. Refreshments and all materials will be provided.

14 July 2026, 4pm – 6pm

V&A Wedgwood Collection, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER

Book here:

Join us for an inspiring, hands-on, free Teacher CPD event designed for Art & Design and Design & Technology educators based in Stoke-on-Trent. Rooted in the V&A’s DesignLab Nation (DLN) National Schools Programme, this session will explore how historic objects can spark rich, contemporary classro...

19/06/2026

'I Am a Man and a Brother'

Today marks Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of enslavement in the United States.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect in most areas of the US two and a half years earlier, there were still thousands of enslaved people in Texas who were delayed their freedom until June 19th 1865, which came to be known as ‘Juneteenth.’

Created in 1787, the Wedgwood anti-slavery medallion was used as a symbol to promote freedom and justice for enslaved people. Thousands of medallions were distributed for free at abolitionist society meetings to promote the cause across Britain and America. We worked with students from The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College to reimagine Wedgwood's anti-slavery medallion for the 21st century. You'll find this new medallion, designed by .designs and created by Wedgwood, on display here at V&A Wedgwood Collection, at V&A South Kensington, and at V&A East Storehouse.

You can learn more about Josiah Wedgwood’s commitment to the abolitionist cause and the many stories that surround the medallion by visiting our permanent display on the anti-slavery medallion at V&A Wedgwood Collection and checking out our online resources.

Image 1: Medallion 'I Am a Man and a Brother', jasperware, produced at the Wedgwood Factory based on a design by Amy Sproston, 2022
Image 2: Anti-slavery medallion, caneware with applied relief, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, Etruria, 1787

Credits:
https://brnw.ch/21x3u59

Find our Medallion Research Hub:
https://brnw.ch/21x3u5a

12/06/2026

Who 'wood' have thought...

After starting his company in 1759, Josiah Wedgwood (1730-95) employed wood carvers to create models for his ceramic shapes and designs.

Potters would then use these carvings to recreate the design in clay. John Coward (fl. 1765-70) was a wood carver from London and created this model for Wedgwood in 1768.

Relatively few of these carvings were produced before Wedgwood switched to using models made of biscuitware. Swipe across to see how this wooden model compares to a vase also made in 1768.

How many similarities and differences can you see?

Image 1: Wooden model for a vase, London, 1768. (WE.7508-2014)
Image 2: Pot-pourri vase, Stoke on Trent, 1768. (WE. 7510-2014)

05/06/2026

Wedgwood down under 🇦🇺

In the 20th century, major Australian department stores were stocking Wedgwood as a staple, offering everything from elegant tableware to decorative showpieces. The company even created designs specifically for Australian tastes.

Check out this trio of 1980s jasperware plates, each featuring a native species: a Koala, Cockatoo, and Emu.

Which one is your favourite?

01/06/2026

Calling all Teachers! 📢

Join us on 14 July for an inspiring and hands-on free Teacher CPD event designed for Art & Design and Design & Technology educators in the Stoke-on-Trent area.

Rooted in the V&A’s DesignLab Nation (DLN) National Schools Programme, this session will explore how historic objects can spark rich, contemporary classroom practice. Drawing on this year’s DLN project where students reinterpreted the iconic Wedgwood Portland Vase through four-day projects, we’ll share insights, outcomes and approaches that can be translated into your own teaching context. During the event, you will be guided be the project designer, ceramic artist, Jaccqui Ramrayka.

Participants will experience a range of practical activities, including object-based learning in the gallery, artist-led drawing exercises, and a collaborative clay-making workshop focused on crafting expressive teapots and vessels. The evening will also highlight further opportunities for schools, including resources and wider programming across the V&A to support creative learning.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your curriculum, build confidence with materials, or connect with other educators, this CPD offers space to reflect, make and reimagine your practice.

DesignLab Nation specifically targets KS3-4 students, however, we warmly welcome all phases, including secondary, primary, SEND, artist educators and teaching assistants to join this event. Refreshments and all materials will be provided.

14 July 2026, 4pm – 6pm

V&A Wedgwood Collection, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9ER
Book here: https://www.worldofwedgwood.com/content/designlab-nation-free-teacher-cpd-clay-collaboration-creativity

29/05/2026

Our astonishing collection of ancient pottery! 😲

During our mass cataloguing project, we’ve made some amazing discoveries. This includes a set of pots which date from around 5th – 4th century BCE.

Manufacture locations include Ancient Corinth, Etruria (Central Italy) and Athens.

Why would these objects be in the Wedgwood Collection? Their provenance is unclear, but it’s possible these were used by Josiah Wedgwood (1730-95) and the company as source material for neo-classical designs.

After all, Wedgwood named his first factory ‘Etruria’ to honour the ancient Etruscan potters he sought to emulate.

Image 1: Athenian white-ground lekythos, decorated with palmettes. c. 500-450 BCE (WE.7674-2014)
Image 2: A squat lekythos, red-figure, decorated with a swan. Athens. c. 440-420 BCE (WE.7672-2014)
Image 3: Two handled cup (known as a skyphos) produced in Corinth, about 5th century BCE (WE.7671-2014)
Image 4: Two handled cup (known as a kylix) decorated with ivy leaf motif on its rim. South Italy. 5th century BCE. (WE.7668-2014)

28/05/2026

Another brick in the wall? 🧱

One of the more curious items in our collection is a brick inscribed with the name Hamlet Wood. Who was Hamlet Wood?

Born to the prominent Wood family of Burslem on 4 October 1774, he joined Wedgwood in the 1780s.

The article explores his life story and his connection to the company’s Etruria Factory, the place where this brick came from.

To read, please follow the link in our bio.

26/05/2026

This week: Craft Club! 🎨

Join us this half term, where we will be exploring Josiah Wedgwood’s earliest designs and how he became ‘Potter to her Majesty!’. Will you make a crown fit for a royal, or design a hat to rival Josiah Wedgwood’s famous cauliflower teapot?

Book a free spot to avoid disappointment, but you are welcome to drop in any time during the two sessions.

Each craft takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete, but you are welcome to drop in any time during the two sessions.

Adult supervision required.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11.30 - 1.00 or 1.30 - 3.00

V&A Welcome Space

22/05/2026

Another fantastic find during our 'Unpacking the V&A Wedgwood Collection' project!

This black basalt award was designed and made by Wedgwood for the 21st British Academy Film Awards in 1968. The design features a Greek muse holding a comedy mask, and gold printed text noting that the 'Specialised Film' category winner was a short animated work called 'Energy and Matter', directed by Robert Verrall (1928-2025)

Photographs from the 1968 ceremony also show a memorable moment in which Dame Edith Evans (1888-1976) accidentally broke the head off her own Wedgwood ‘Best Actress’ award after playfully having it kiss Paul Scofield’s (1922-2008) ‘Best Actor’ award!

18/05/2026

🚨 Final Reminder - Job opportunity! 🚨

We are seeking a Curator to help us lead our dynamic programme here at the V&A Wedgwood Collection.

This opportunity comes at an exciting time, with the Unpacking the V&A Wedgwood Collection project continuing at pace, an engaging display programme in progress and the V&A touring exhibition Wedgwood: Artists and Industries opening in China this Autumn.

If this sounds like the role for you, follow this link to see the full job description: https://vam.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/4180465?cid=3279&rsid=24732&js=0&LinkType=1&FromSearch=False

Application deadline: Wednesday 20 May