jasperware

English society's love affair with Neoclassicism exploded after the excavation of the buried cities, Herculaneum and Pompeii, in 1738 and 1748, respectively. It was quickly evident that the discoveries propelled an unquenchable fascination with classical antiquity that trickled into all aspects of life - architecture, interior design, and decorative objects for the years that would follow. Upper-class Europeans flocked to these classical sites and would return with souvenirs plus a deep cultural appreciation for the past, which they desired to emulate in their own homes. Recognizing the momentum of this movement, Josiah Wedgwood, an entrepreneur, and skilled fourth-generation potter, invented Jasperware, the matte-finished stoneware that is frequently ornamented by white ceramic reliefs. The name, Jasperware, comes from the pottery's similarities to the natural stone jasper. And while Jasperware exists in a variety of colorways and styles, the most renowned is the signature blue color, known as "Wedgwood Blue" named after Josiah himself. His stoneware immediately garnered the attention of the upper-class and even the royal family who coveted his work. This surge in popularity allowed him to mass-produce specific pieces to make them more accessible to the general public, expand his line of products, and even create different ceramics for specific regions. Nearly every single piece that Wedgwood's factory produced was quickly replicated by others. Today, Josiah is credited with transforming pottery from a "cottage craft" into a global industry and while he is long gone, his heritage company, Wedgwood, still produces Jasperware today, allowing those with a penchant for the perennial favorite to collect items at all different price thresholds.