The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-17

to Cherokee county, S. c., for a new
clay, but as it cost 100 pounds a
ton delivered in England, he did
not recorder. Some majolica Of the
last century was copied from "Colly
Flower" (cauliflower) tea pots made
at this period.
He also perfected a pottery called
Basalt, a black wedgwood of such
fine texture that it could be polished
on wheel. This gave a lovely dull
sheen more delightful than glaze
Several dainty pieces of this ware
are included in the exhibit at the
art museum.
In 1869 Wedgwood established a
factory to make ornamental ware
exclusively, at Etruria, near Brus-
lem, and here, in 1774, he invented
jasperWare, the most famous of the
Wedgwood products. Jasper is a
fine vitreouS ware of translucent
quality, with sharply finished re-
liefS on colored ground, and has
the dull softness of an apricot skin.
Although it has a suede-like APP
pearance, it is perfectly smooth. The
relief figures are classic in form,
as specimens taken from the ruins
Of Pompeii influenced Wedgwood
designs. Blue is the color usually
associated with Wedgwood, although
in addition to eight tones of blue,
there are seven tints Of green, as
well as pink, lilac, black, and terra
Gotta. The reliefs usually are in
white. but may be found in color.
THE large vase shown in the ac-
- companying illustration is of
medium blue jasper ware. 1t was
purchased in 1890 by Mrs. Daniel
Stewart, grandmother of Mrs. G
Barrett Monkey, who gave it to the
art museum. 1t was in the Cathe-
dral at Mexico City for many years
and as the lid is perforated prob
ably was used for incense.
The handles are entwlned with
snakes, a familiar Wedgwood
motif, and the relief represents
figures in mythology. The Pegasus
vase in the Kensington mu I'M is
similar to this large vase, whose
heroic proportions are denoted by
contraSG to the water pitcher shown
The bowl is light green jasper
with festoons of grapes and I'M
usually delicate figures. The water
pitcher is cane ware, invented ny
Wedgwood in 1870, which resembles
the Basalt ware in texture and
sheen but is the color of maple
syrup. The pitcher was purchased
from the Wedgwood exhibit at the
worlds fair in Chicago in 1893, and
was loaned to the Museum by Mrs
Anna Van Hoff.
Only the finest cane ware is
decorated in white and this pitcher
has fern fronds in white relief,
which, though modern in treatment,
are as delicate and perfect as the
classic decorations.
Mrs. Edith Noe has collection
of about forty pieces Of WedgWood
in the deep blue asper, mostly table
ware. On some of the pieces, the
dark under color shows family
through the thin parts of the white
relief, sign of age.
II Il
VXTEDGWOOD'S copies of the
w famous Portland vase are
considered his greatest legacy to art.
The Portland vase, a funeral urn,
was made about 300 A. D. and found
in a sarcophagus near Rome in 1925
A D. 1t is ten inches high, of dark
glass, with figures intaglio, and now
is in the British museum. The prop
erty of the duke of Portland. it
was loaned by the duke to Wedge
wood and the famous copies were
made in 1870.
To reproduce faithfully this BEAU
tiful urn in blue black jasper with
figures in white relief was feat
that fully demonstrated Josiah's
mastery Of his craft.
A MEDALLION, made by one of the
artists in his factory, shows Josiah
Wedgwood as a plump elegant
gentleman. with hair deliberately
curled. His daughter was the
mother of Charles Darwin, the
naturalist, and his descendants, who
have carried on the business to the
present day at Etruria, have paic
him the compliment of keeping the
name Josiah Wedgwood & Sons.
Inc"
They have revived the early cream
ware for table service and make re-
productions Of his most famous
pieces. Examples of Wedgwooc
wares are included in most public
and private collections of note anc
the factory at Etruria has an almost
complete collection of the article;
made by him.
The name Wedgwood is Impressed
into every genuine piece. Wedge
wood" and "Wedgwood & Co." are
not a part of the original firm.
Josiah Wedgwood died in 1895 anc
his epitaph reads, He converted a
rude ard inconsiderable manu-
factory into an elegant art and ar
important part of commerce"
Undoubtedly his skill has in
f1uenced the whole subsequent
manufacture of pottery. He elevated
the art of the potter from a
mediocre endeavor to a high place
in the field of ceramics.