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WEDGWOOD COMES TO US ON YOUTUBE

Here is a great YouTube video with history and current information by our friend and Wedgwood Museum Director, Gaye Blake-Roberts. Enjoy

QUICKIE NEWS SPLASH ~ TIME SENSITIVE NEWS


INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE -25% OFF ALL BONE CHINA ITEMS, PRODUCT #S IN 600 SERIES - BUY CHINA!!


Opening a brand new book that still smells of ink is such a sublime experience, almost as good as that musty smell of an old book reminding us of its history!

Check out our newly listed items on the WEBSITE where things are always changing. AT ALEXIS ANTIQUES ANNEX WE'VE ADDED MORE NON-WEDGWOOD ENGLISH CERAMICS, TO INCLUDE SOME ABSOUTELY ADORABLE ADAMS Titian Ware VERNACULAR HAND PAINTED PLATES. CHECK THEM OUT! We've added lots of new jasperware too, blue and green AND some excellent black basalt wares!


VISITING OUR BLOG

CLICK THE TITLE OF MANY OF THE BLOG POSTS TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE IMAGE OR TEXT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. BE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE OFTEN AS THINGS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING. CLICKING THE PHOTO OF THE FEATURE OF THE WEEK WILL TAKE YOU TO ITS LISTING ON OUR SITE. THANK YOU FOR READING!







Wednesday, December 19, 2012

JOSIAH WEDGWOOD, HIS PYROMETER, AND MEASURING HEAT

Who knew this subject could be so interesting?  There is ALWAYS something fascinating to be learned about Josiah Wedgwood, FRS, and his brilliant career and life and work.  Go here to learn a bit about his invention of the pyrometer and later developments in the field of measuring high degrees of heat, courtesy of Chemistry World.  Another of those Wedgwood subjects that is a bit "out there" but another interesting segment of the total Wedgwood story.  Enjoy!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE POTTER'S HAND BY A.N. WILSON

If interested readers will scroll down to my 9/1 post about this book, one will see my initial interest in the book, my subsequent slightly negative reaction to it, and several reviews by other people.  The Wedgwood Society of New South Wales publishes a newsletter and with permission of the reviewer and the Editor, I am posting her review in the latest issue of The Medallion, the Society's newsletter.   Dianne Parrey points out that those of us who know the factual stories of Josiah, the factory, his associates and the family will likely be more critical of this book.  Perhaps someone without that Wedgwood background will enjoy the book because of viewing the story through different eyes. Appreciation to our Australian friends for allowing us to publish this review, and particular thanks to Dianne.

The Potter’s Hand
Reviewed by Dianne Parrey

On the last page of A.N. Wilson’s book “The Potter’s Hand” there is a note on the author explaining how he is a biographer and a novelist of renown having even been “longlisted for the Man Booker Prize”.  (Wilson: p. 506) I have to admit that I am truly sorry Wilson did not stick to biography or write a truly original novel because the mix that he has created is quite disturbing.  There are some beautiful descriptions in the story that clearly illustrate Wilson’s capabilities as a writer, for example I found “[t]he violent orange of the setting sun caught the frozen puddles in the fields and was reflected with a series of dazzling colour splashes” (Wilson: p.96) a lovely image. Or when Wilson describes Stubbs' journey up the canal noting “the billowing white and charcoal clouds promised rain again as they brooded in the pale blue sky”. (Wilson: p. 297)  However, the story is full of so many historical inaccuracies, that for a student of Wedgwood or eighteenth century history the book becomes quite frustrating.

As a love story, a story of unhappiness and ambition, and desire, there is certainly some merit but the book is too melancholy and aims to shock too much such as the death of the guard after Wilson describes how the Russian Empress decides to take sexual advantage of him. (Wilson: p. 163)  I also found Wilson’s dislike of his characters Sally and Jos Wedgwood and the children and his, at times, offensive descriptions off putting. Characters they are because they bear little resemblance to the people that can be gleaned from Josiah’s own letters.

If I had written this review based on the first five chapters of the book my comment would have been ‘don’t bother’. However, I have to say that as I read the book and consciously tried to treat the book as simply a work of fiction I did briefly enjoy some chapters but these sections were very few and tended o be the chapters that dealt with the purely created characters such as the scene of Caleb and Meribah at the pond. (Wilson: pp. 458–59)

There is a wealth of reference to the great men of the industrial and political revolutions. However, unfortunately in many cases the facts are wrong.  One of the things I find most desirable about historical fiction is the accuracy of the facts—the ability to weave a fiction story in and out of the reality. Wilson fails to do this.  I think it is clear by the beginning of Part Two that Wilson should have written a book on the American Revolution, a separate one on Wedgwood and a separate love story for his created characters.

I desperately wanted to know Stubbs and Dr. Darwin better and had hoped that someone whose own personal history had been influenced by the factory (his father having worked for the company) might have been able to bring these characters to life. In the end there were so many inaccuracies that I was glad when I had finished the book.  I believe anyone who has a strong attachment to history, especially Wedgwood history, should not read this book or should do so warily because even Wilson admits in his afterword that he played with the facts changing the dates, including the date the Frog Service was finished, to fit in with his storyline.  (Wilson: p. 504) He created letters and I believe put inappropriate words into the mouths of people who would never have said some of the things he has them saying. Wilson has also created some very disturbing references to various characters and the descriptions of Mary Ann’s suffering are very confronting (Wilson: p. 426). Some readers will find some of the sexual references, (Wilson: pp. 55 and 163) the shallowness of the characters and the violence in the Cherokee massacre very disturbing (Wilson: p. 167).

I believe it is essential to approach this book in the clear knowledge that this is very much a piece of fiction with some very predictable story lines spiced with incidents meant to shock; at times filtered with some truly disturbing scenes, and yet written by an author who, at times, is almost poetic in his descriptions. For someone who knows nothing about Wedgwood the undesirable impact would be less.

What reading this book has done for me though is to make me want to start rereading the volumes of Wedgwood’s letters in the hope of wiping out the memory of some of the depictions of Wedgwood in Wilson’s book that I found really unpleasant.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Wedgwood Christmas Cartoon from the Past

We all know how the British love to commemorate things...and Jasper plaques have been awarded to many people, teams and institutions over a long span of years...this is a favorite cartoon of ours from the Wedgwood Review, an employee publication of the pastEnjoy and happiest of holidays from us here at Alexis Antiques!
Click the pic for a larger version to read the caption.

Friday, December 7, 2012

WEDGWOOD FROG SERVICE RETROSPECTIVE IN RUSSIA

For our Russian collectors, or those traveling to Russia between now and March 31, an exciting exhibit is open in St. Petersburg, home of The Hermitage.  Check it out here but do not blame us for the poor quality of the grammar and spelling!  It was likely written by someone whose native language is not English, which of course wouldn't be surprising in Russia!  If anyone sees the exhibit, I'd love to have comments on it here or via email!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Alexis Antiques on Facebook - Finally

We have finally published a Facebook page for Alexis Antiques & Alexis Antiques Annex!  Just type in Alexis Antiques and you'll find us!  We'll be posting new items in stock, news, views and maybe video tapes so check us out!  But don't forget our blog!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

London Evening News Features Portland Vase restored with Wedgwood's help

Most of us Wedgwoodians know the story of the Portland Vase, if one doesn't there are PLENTY of books on the subject both informative and beautiful.  Our good friend Lord Anthony Pulford of Glencoe, Scotland recently gifted me with a wonderful book published in 1951 entitled "London is Stranger Than Fiction".  This is a book of the cartoons and stories written by Peter Jackson which appeared in The London Evening News every Wednesday for several years.  The stories are interesting historical facts, funny happenings and trivia questions - such as "Where in London can you see a mosaic of Greta Garbo?"  We spotted one very fun fact that we don't think we knew before about the Portland Vase.  See the panel below (Click the picture for a larger version so you can read it.) from the issue of 9 March 1949.  And from Lord Pulford comes this tidbit that I didn't know about, "Oddly enough, when the latest restoration of the Portland Vase was carried out, they found an envelope in the glass case containing the bits that the original restorer couldn't find a place for."  That's pretty scary!  Oh and by the way Greta may be seen on the floor of the entrance to the National Gallery.  For all London lovers, this book would be a treasure, look for it at your favorite used book seller, antiques shop or book fair! 


Saturday, November 10, 2012

WEDGWOOD DOES THANKSGIVING

Being a descendant of two Mayflower passengers, Thanksgiving is always an important day at our house.  I began hearing from friends weeks ago that Christmas items were already in the stores.  Halloween of course gets lots of "press", and lots of floor space in the retail stores.  Have you ever thought about the fact that retail-wize we go straight from Halloween to Christmas?  Unless Christmas came first to begin with?  We at Alexis Antiques never forget Thanksgiving and hope you won't either.  If you click this post title you will see a spectacular Pearlware plate which would be smashing as a decoration for the home this time of year, OR as a serving piece for some of your Thanksgiving victuals.  More wonderful Thanksgiving merchandise will appear if one CLICKS HERE, and HERE is a nice print from a 1917 issue of Ladies Home Journal magazine which is colorful and a very traditional look at our vision of that first Thanksgiving.  Let us know if we can help you with any aspect of your browsing or purchasing process.  Many of our items are by Wedgwood, but you will see some by others - and there is even a beer ad to be found with a great Mayflower theme!  Remember water was bad in those days, beer was healthier and the pilgrims took LOTS of it on their journey so it's appropriate for the beer barons to use beer as a theme for advertising at this time of year!

May your blessings be many and your thanks be for much good in your lives.

Friday, November 9, 2012

LORD WEDGWOOD MOVING AROUND THE WORLD AT LIGHTENING SPEED

At the risk of turning our Wedgwood blog into a travelogue for His Lordship, I've discovered this morning that he is now in one of our favorite cities, Birmingham, Alabama.  He certainly has been moving around quickly!  After this visit to the south, perhaps he can go home and rest for awhile.  He looks great in the photo in this article, seemingly his travels aren't doing him in too much!  HERE is the link to today's articleAnd below right off the press from our

very good friend, Adele Barnett of the Wedgwood Society of Washington, DC, comes the following news flash and photo - "Bromberg's, on behalf of the Lord Wedgwood Charity, presented the Birmingham Museum of Art with one of the 5 Lord Wedgwood busts."  [The BMA is home to the Beeson and Buten collections of Wedgwood, the largest repository of Wedgwood in this hemisphere.  Bromberg's is a long-standing supporter of Wedgwood & Sons, its products and its people, including work for the Lord Wedgwood Charity.  lvc]  THANK YOU to Adele for furnishing us with this great photo and the news of Bromberg's donation to the BMA!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LORD WEDGWOOD TODAY?

Our friend Lord Wedgwood's travels can be so very interesting, we love "following" him around the world.  This week he is still in Sydney, Australia, where he has been for awhile, on an extended trip promoting the company's Wedgwood and Bentley line of prestige wares.  We are pleased to bring you a YOUTube interview with RescuTV at the Langholm Hotel in Sydney.  Here you can see the always colorful Lord Wedgwood talking about gifting Wedgwood and about collecting it too.  He describes the story of how so many Wedgwood collectors, yours truly included, first came down with the Wedgwood disease, finding just one piece of Wedgwood, usually a small blue jasper piece, and falling in love.  Sometimes these encounters last the rest of a lifetime, and as one wanders the world of Wedgwood collecting, one will discover MANY of these stories.  It is interesting that he uses that example because I have heard several collectors say it to him, as have I.  Enjoy a bit over 6 minutes listening to Lord Wedgwood's lovely lilting British accent as he talks about his favorite subject and his interviewer's equally lovely Aussie accent!  

And please don't forget our website www.alexisantiques.com for your upcoming Christmas shopping!  We'll be shipping right up to the very last day possible to get your gift selections to your lucky recipients. With over 2,000 line items of Wedgwood, antiques, and Wedgwood-related items, we're sure to have something for everyone on your shopping list...and if all else fails, a gift-certificate comes to mind!


 We have some of these Nativity figures by Coalport in stock, item # wwx602.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LORD WEDGWOOD?

G'Day all!  We love following the far-flung travels of our friend and Wedgwood ambassador, Piers, Lord Wedgwood of Barlaston.  Click here to see where he is going to be in November, part of his extensive trip Down Under.  Our Aussie friends are enjoying the pleasure of his company we understand! 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

CLARICE CLIFF AT THE WEDGWOOD MUSEUM & ALEXIS ANTIQUES

 I spotted this announcement on my Facebook page this morning and thought I'd share it.  I was also reminded of a wonderful Clarice Cliff set we have for sale on our website at present, fall colors and all!
 CLICK HERE to see a great bone china limited edition set designed by Clarice.  And you can go here to see a definitive book on Clarice and her work and here to see a bone or salad plate by Clarice with a completely different look! 
Clarice Cliff lovers will not want to miss our second 'Simply Clarice' event to be held at the museum on Saturday 29th September.

For bookings and further details please visit www.simplyclarice.com or call 07774 623 770 for further information.

Saturday, September 29 at 10:00am in UTC+01 at The Wedgwood Museum

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

INTERESTING NEWS ABOUT WEDGWOOD MUSEUM TRUST DILEMMA

Recently we have not been closely following the progress of the legal case regarding the possible sale of the Wedgwood Museum Trust's assets to satisfy the pension shortfall at Wedgwood & Sons. However, this morning we find an interesting update in the UK press which seems very optimistic, a good thing for all interested in ceramics, history and the ability of the public to continue to visit the Museum in Barlaston.  At the Museum we are privileged to be able to see, study and understand the works and history of the English pottery industry. Click the title of this post to read the article, and let's hope the direction the case seems to be taking continues on a positive track.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

WEDGWOOD WORKERS PRE 1960 SOUGHT BY TV PROGRAM CREW

It appears A. N. Wilson, son of the famous Norman Wilson Wedgwood potter and manager, is working on a TV programme about Josiah Wedgwood.  Check out this article from today's UK Sentinel, especially if you know some perhaps retired potters! 

DOCUMENTARY makers are appealing for anyone who worked at the Wedgwood factory before 1960 to share their memories.
What Larks Productions is working with writer A N Wilson on a programme about Josiah Wedgwood.
Mr Wilson's family moved to Staffordshire towards the end of the 18th Century from Barnstaple, Devon.
The family were industrial potters who were inspired by Wedgwood and A N Wilson's father Norman was headhunted by the famous brand in the 1920s.
He went on to become managing director and was instrumental in developing Wedgwood's Barlaston site and moving the workforce from Etruria.
Anyone who worked with Mr Wilson is asked to email susie@whatlarks.tv or call  0203 327 2883 .

Saturday, September 1, 2012

NEW A N Wilson WEDGWOOD NOVEL PUBLISHED TODAY - GREAT BOOK REVIEW

Back in February I posted a preview of an interesting sounding new book by the son of the late famed Wedgwood designer Norman. Wilson, The Potter's Hand by A. N. Wilson.  It was promised to be published by Atlantic Books today, and so it was.  Tristram Hunt, British MP, and one of my favorite living Brits, has written an excellent, detailed review of the book which appears in today's Financial Times.  I am pleased to post it here for the viewing of all Wedgwoodians.  It's a fictional work laced with a dose of reality.  Click here to go directly to Hunt's excellent review, it'll probably make you want to order this book today, I've ordered mine from Amazon.com, less than $25us including shipping from UK. [My book arrived today, 9/8, GREAT service from the Amazon seller "The Book Depository" in UK.  Shipping was only $3.99.  I can't wait to begin reading!]  HERE is another great review I just found from Country Life Bookshop in UK.  "This is the historical novel at its most ambitious."  And HERE is yet another review with interesting photos which I think our readers will enjoy ~ Wilson's own commentary on his novel is insightful as one begins to read the book.
 November 7 - I've begun reading the book and am also hearing from my Wedgwood friends around the world....the reviews of the book are less than stellar, and I'm having trouble giving the book much of my time.  I find it laborious to read and perhaps too much on the negative side to enjoy it.  Personally I am lover of historical fiction, and read quite a bit of it; however in this case, since so much is actually known about the Wedgwoods from letters, journals and other sources, this fictional story isn't seeming even plausible, let alone entertaining.  For me, to deserve my time, a book must offer me something, even if it is a fictional story to provide a bit of escape from reality.  Admittedly it's not finished yet, and admittedly I am biased in favor of the Wedgwoods,  but I'm thinking I might not allow The Potter's Hand much more of my time - perhaps unfair but it IS my time to value isn't it?  My friends' reviews are definitely coloring my opinion, so fairness would dictate my finishing the book...I'll let you know my decision!  I'd be interested in having readers comment here on how they view this book.  November 9th, I've found another review from the UK Telegraph which gives a bit of insight into the book, go HERE to read it and see a photo of the author.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

WONDER HOW EMMA WEDGWOOD WOULD FEEL IF SHE READ CHARLES DARWIN'S PRE-MARRIAGE JOURNALS





WOW, I promise not to repeat myself, but here is yet another great discovery about Charles Darwin.  In roaming around the internet I have found a great blog which also links to Brain Pickings, more about Charles Darwin.  When I have a decision to make, I frequently get out my yellow pad and draw a line down the middle.  Seems Charles Darwin used a journal, and an envelope from a letter, to make his YES or NO list - to marry or not!  If all men used some of his reasoning, we'd have a good population drop, but as we Wedgwoodians know only too well, he made a great positive decision, well that's our impression anyway.  Enjoy reading this blog and Brain Pickings if you are a Darwin/Wedgwood story fan -  lots of new insight, even as we think there just can't be more!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

WEDGWOOD WITH AN AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION UPDATED LIST

Our friend and colleague, Judy Jones in Sydney, has worked long and hard on a great research project begun last year and now updated this week.  We are pleased to share her comprehensive list of Wedgwood products produced especially for the Australian market.  This list represents special and limited editions, china, and many commemorative items.  She is well aware there may be more, so if you know of something that is missing, please comment and we will get the information to her for inclusion.  Judy and her husband Colin are avid Wedgwood collectors and have written articles for many Wedgwood venues, see our other posts for additional contributions they have shared with us.  Right now we only have one item from the list in stock, you can click here to go to the two thimbles we currently have for sale.  THANK YOU Judy for your valuable contribution to the world of Wedgwood collecting - in Australia and around the world.  

12/2013  Judy has just notified us of a new find to be added to this list:

‘Victoria Vase’ 1988 – pale blue jasper with white reliefs.  Presented to The State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Victoria) by The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce – 31 cm high, of ovoid shape with reliefs of Melbourne city with Princes Bridge; Victorian Coat of Arms; Australian Coat of Arms, floral swags suspended from four ram’s heads.  The body supported on a waisted socle and square base, the lid pierced.  The square base is printed in gold with details of the presentation.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

A WEDGWOOD GEOGRAPHY LESSON

Some time ago I found this wonderful blog which identifies and describes the various towns which make up the oft-used term "The Potteries" sometimes also just called "Staffordshire" when discussing pottery, china, ceramics and other such terms.  When using our website for shopping or learning, you will sometimes see a reference to a place in Staffordshire, such as the name of a pottery which includes its locale.  A review of this site will probably help a student of Wedgwood and other Staffordshire potteries become much more familiar with the geography of one of the best parts of England!  Yes, that might just be a biased opinion!  One of the favorite places in Stoke for us Wedgwood collectors is the grave of Josiah Wedgwood at the Parish Church of St. Peter Ad Vincula - enjoy and think of taking your own photos in Stoke!
You might also see my post titled BURSLEM in the POTTERIES of 3/23/11 for some lovely pictures and information about Burslem, the town where Josiah was baptized.

CHARLES DARWIN, A WEDGWOOD FAMILY MEMBER, & HIS CONNECTION TO ADAM SEDGWICK

My dear friend Lord Anthony Pulford of Glencoe is a Wedgwood collector and a lover of history.  One of his favorite activities is exploring historic connections regarding all things Wedgwood.  If you have read my posts, you have seen some of his other interesting contributions to this blog.  Many of us Wedgwoodians have been interested in the Wedgwood/Darwin family story over the years, and certainly since the Darwin birthday a couple of years ago.  Sir Anthony has come up with another very interesting tale involving Charles Darwin, another geologist and Ben Nevis, the famous spot in northern Scotland near which Sir Anthony lives.  We don't often see such direct comments TO Mr. Darwin in opposition to his views, but I think you will enjoy this one.  Thank you once again Tony for contributing information of interest to our readers.

Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge, England photo from the Museum website.
"The community garden on the grounds of the Kilmallie Hall at Corpach near Fort William [the town nearest to Sir Anthony] contains a stone circle made up of rocks from all over Scotland.  The circle was "opened" by Mr David Sedgwick, a surgeon at the Belford Hospital in Fort William and is dedicated to the memory of Mr Sedgwick's ancestor the Rev. Adam Sedgwick.

    It is Adam Sedgwick who is the link to Charles Darwin.  Born in 1785, the son of a Dent, Yorkshire, vicar, he was educated at Sedburgh School and Trinity College Cambridge, eventually becoming Woodwardian Professor of Geology in 1818, a position he held until his death in 1873.

   A leading geologist of his day, one of his geology students was a young Charles Darwin who, in 1831, accompanied him on a trip into Wales.  They corresponded while Darwin was on the Beagle Expedition and afterwards.  Sedgwick never accepted the case for evolution made in Darwin's book On the Origin of the Species in 1859.  After reading the book he wrote to Darwin saying;

  'If I did not think you a good tempered & truth loving man I should not tell you that.... I have read your book with more pain than pleasure.  Parts of it I admire greatly;  parts I laughed at until my sides were almost sore; other parts I read with absolute sorrow; because I think them utterly false & grievously mischievous - You have deserted - after a start in that tram-road of all solid physical truth - the true method of induction - & started up a machinery as wild, I think, as Bishop Wilkins' locomotive that was to sail with us to the Moon'.  Despite this difference of opinion, the two remained friends until Sedgwick's death.

   The Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge, opened in 1903, contains a number of Darwin artifacts including rocks collected on the Beagle voyage as well as notebooks, scientific instruments and his pistol." 

Friday, August 3, 2012

Erasmus Darwin, Master of Invention and Wedgwood family member



I've said this before, but won't make you figure out where, [actually it's simple, just go to the search bar at the bottom of this page and type in the single word Darwin] it never ceases to amaze me how often we still see or read references to the Darwin family.  As a member of the Wedgwood family, of course we are interested in Charles, but maybe not everyone realizes his grandfather was the famous Erasmus Darwin, who, along with Josiah Wedgwood, was a founder of The Lunar Society, as well as inventor, botanist, poet, scientist and I'm sure other descriptions could be found.  His home in Lichfield, where he lived for nearly 25 years, is a Grade 1 listed property hidden away and open to visitors.  From now til 9 September 2012 entry to the house museum is free to the public.  The great website www.erasmusdarwin.org will give one a good deal of information.  If you are headed to the UK, [after the hubub of the fabulous Olympics and Jubilee celebrations have subsided, it might be the time to go] and are interested in the full Darwin story, the science and the beautiful historic home, you might want to visit the website for further details.  There are plenty of other things to see in Lichfield such as Tudor, Palladian, Georgian and Victorian architecture and of course there is a beautiful cathedral, and one can view the place where the last man to be burned at the stake for heresy, in 1612, met his fate.

Going here will bring up another very interesting website on the subject of Erasmus Darwin and one will discover a link to another book about him, Sex, Science and Serendipity sounds very interesting! The website and the book are brought to us by respected Oxford University Press.

In 1808 Robert Waring Darwin, Josiah's son in law, husband of his daughter Susannah,  bought a brown transferware dinnerware set in a botanical - themed pattern named Lily (sometimes seen as Lilly or Water Lily).  Thus this set has become associated with the Darwin family.  It was later discontinued in the brown colorway and produced in blue in pretty good volume.  The pattern was redesigned and reintroduced several times, as late as 1927.  To adorn your home with Darwin interest plates, try these beautiful Water Lilly plates, available for sale from our website at http://www.alexisantiques.com/browse/view.php?item=WWL705A.  There are a number of versions of this plate, it was produced in light blue on cream, and a gorgeous polychrome version which is a stunning plate in browns, oranges and yellow.  The black and cream Queensware plates we have on offer at present would be a gorgeous addition to many decorative schemes, and certainly in an environment of botanical or scientific interest they could anchor a beautiful wall display.  These black and gray on cream plates are a bit more rare than the other colorways, we rarely see this version on the market or in Wedgwood reference books.  Enjoy exploring the Darwins, their connection to the Wedgwoods and the world of science in which they played such important roles.  We have other blog posts about the Darwin and Wedgwood families, maybe a good scroll through our posts would reveal some other information that you haven't seen before.  Enjoy and let us know if we can be of service to you! 

Friday, June 22, 2012

NEW information about Eric Ravilious

The most endearing facet of Wedgwood collecting may be that there is always something new, not new production, but new news, new findings, new discoveries.  Just when we think we know all about a subject relative to Wedgwood products, people and potteries, something else pops up. Click here to read an article from today's New York Times about a rare find, a book in progress by Eric Ravilious during World War II which has been lost for all these years.  He was killed before he could finish it, but it appears someone will indeed finish it for him.  Enjoy!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee a Wedgwood opportunity!

 The Brits will spend all weekend, and it's a four day weekend for them, watching so many activities on the local telly in honor of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.  What an opportunity to use one's Wedgwood china for sipping a cuppa, eating scones with clotted cream and jam, flying the Union Jack in the USA to show our British roots and so much more.  The Wedgwood company, aka WWRD, has produced lovely china items in honor of the occasion, as have many of the Staffordshire potteries.  It's also a great opportunity to view your royalty commemorative collection and add items, especially if you haven't been shopping much in that arena lately.  You can click here to see our royalty commemorative offerings.  Of course, buying a piece of Wedgwood is a nice idea for the holiday weekend too!  You will find 2,000 things from which to pick at our website, www.alexisantiques.com, everything there is in stock and ready to ship.  We were fascinated to learn of the vast array of Jubilee activities in other cities ~ Naples, FL is one good example, check out the link!  Here is another great article with additional links that we in the USA can enjoy.  Enjoy the totally British weekend wherever you may be! Long Live the Queen!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Where in the World is Lord Wedgwood?

Piers, Lord Wedgwood, really gets around the world.  He's often difficult to keep up with but he was recently in New York having been a judge in the contest to choose a winning designer in the annual Josiah Wedgwood Design Award contest.  Check it out here and see the winning design ~ sleek, cool and white china for today's young entertainers and homemakers.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

WEDGWOOD BLUE by Ketelbey

If you are a regular reader of our blog you may remember that we posted a link to this song in the past, but we've just heard a beautiful rendition of it played on an organ and available on YouTube by clicking the title of this post. I think this is my favorite of all the versions I've heard. You can go here to find the sheet music so you can make your own version come alive! Enjoy!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

WHAT HAVE FERNS TO DO WITH WEDGWOOD? YOU ASK

In rambling around the world-wide press this morning, from my perch in the woods of southeast Maine, land of the pointed firs, I discovered this blog entry about one of my very favorite plants, ferns. In Maine they grow quite wild and large and lush. It is early yet, but already in the woods surrounding my daughter's home we can see evidence of early spring fern growth. In Georgetown where her in-laws live they grow a foot tall, wild along the roads and in the woods.

We know Wedgwood jasper, caneware and other bodies sometimes sported fern fronds, but not nearly as often as many other types of flora. If you go here you will find a few things we have in stock with fern leaves. The green dresser tray is one of my personal favorites, the fern fronds are beautifully displayed in a graceful trim.

I think I'll try taking a batch of ferns home to plant amongst my hostas in the shade!

IRISH HORTICULTURE SOCIETY NOW HAS A GARDEN TO TEND

The Royal Horticulture Society of England has had a Wedgwood connection since its inception due to the fact that one of its founders was John Wedgwood. Of course Wedgwood plates were commissioned by the RHS over the years also. This article caught my eye as much for the Wedgwood connection as for the fact that when I was in Hatchard's I couldn't help but think about the many famous and not-so-famous folks who had roamed the bookshelves of that store! To say nothing of the RHS' having been founded right there! Click the title above to read the latest on the Irish Horticulture Society!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

MINTON ARCHIVE TO JOIN WEDGWOOD MUSEUM HOLDINGS

FINALLY, some good news on the Wedgwood Museum Trust fiasco. It appears that fundraising will begin to pay the Wedgwood Museum's part of the Pension Fund shortfall thus ending the long battle to secure the future of the Wedgwood Museum holdings! This is the first really good result that has been announced in quite some time. Coincidental to this problem at Barlaston has been the dilemma over what to do with the Minton Archive which became homeless in the demise of the Minton factory. That historic and valuable collection will be housed in some fashion with the Wedgwood archives at the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent. It appears changes to the Museum will be made to accommodate these additional archives and it seems likely we will now be following the progress of that step in the procedure. What a long road through a lot of British muck this has been but now a glimmer of hope has emerged! Let us all now give our support to those who will be working hard to make this latest plan realize success! Josiah may now relax in his repose and perhaps rest in some new-found peace!  One can visit our website and see several Minton Archival Prints by a well-known British publisher.  Click the link above  (Minton Archive) for our favorite, a print with a raised gold emblem which replicates how the cup looks in 'the flesh'.  And if you click the link Minton Archival Prints you will see others we have for sale currently.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Wedgwood dinnerware helps celebrate Queen's Diamond Jubilee

We are all familiar with royalty collectibles, and especially those of the ceramic variety, but check out the huge celebration provided for the Queen by the City of Manchester. They went all out with community gardens, luncheon, brass band of students, and even a wedding invitation for Her Majesty. The Wedgwood connection is that the celebratory luncheon was served on Wedgwood bone china commissioned for the Coronation in 1953. Click the title of this post to see photos and read all about the Queen's Royal visit to Manchester. Meanwhile, you can go here to see what we have in our inventory that might fit the ROYAL title - you could buy yourself a nice Royal Souvenir right here at Alexis Antiques!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Wedgwood Museum Appeal Effort Fails

Click the title of this post to see the latest on the Museum fiasco in England. It appears that the government is not going to admit to the errors in legislation or do anything to remedy the ill effects. The arts world will never be the same. It makes one think about common sense, wonder where in the world it is ~ certainly it is not in England! And here is a very well presented YouTube Video which explains about the dilemma, and the hopeful outcome, made just 8 days ago. The Attorney General has his head in the sand, no matter how one slices and dices this problem. The sale of all the Museum's holdings does NOT "plug the hole" in the company's pension shortfall. Maybe makes the drip less heavy, but does NOT turn off the faucet. Talk about a fool's errand!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Yet another Wedgwood Tome in the Offing

From the Financial Times website comes an article by A N Wilson, son of famed Wedgwood designer Norman Wilson. It appears he has written a novel about our favorite potter, Josiah, and the 18th Century. He was raised in The Potteries so his point of view might be different from some of the other recent books about Wedgwood. And he weighs in on the current dilemma with the Museum's future. Click the title of this post to see the article; one has to scroll down a bit but you'll see it, title is in bold letters. I'll be watching for the book, hopefully it'll be out before long. If you read it and want to send a review, I'd love to post it!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

New Wrinkle on Wedgwood Museum Dilemma

Click on the title of this post to read up on a newer development in the Museum dilemma in Barlaston. It appears new ideas are coming forth to hopefully find a solution to save the treasures of the Wedgwood Museum and still satisfy the ruling laws.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Presidents' Day will be here soon

It's long been our habit to make a Featured Item Frame on our website for American History Month and Presidents' Day in February. If you click the title of this post you'll see three nice Presidential China plates we have in stock. If you go to the Browse Inventory box on our site, and type in Lincoln, Kennedy, or Eisenhower you will find items pertaining to those men produced by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons as well, and don't miss the Featured Item Frame on the beautiful set of George and Martha Washington portrait plates produced in 1932 for the Daughters of the American Revolution, they are gorgeous!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Wedgwood Course in Massachusetts this spring

While I have some great family history in the Deerfield, MA area, I have never been able to visit Historic Deerfield, but it looks like this coming April would be the time to go. I'd love to do some cemetery hunting and more research at the Smith College and Northampton Libraries, where there is a wealth of information about my family's contribution to the history of the area. My 8th great-grandfather's pregnant wife and children were captured by the Indians and the story of his recapturing his family and the birth of his daughter is very well documented - the baby was named Canada for the name of her country of birth...this all took place in central MA near Deerfield. Enough of that, the course being offered at Historic Deerfield sounds very interesting, and if nothing else, their website announcing it is very well executed. Click the title of this post to go to the website. Upon further research I see that in March there is a one day symposium on the Indian Raid of February 29, 1704 in which my 8th great-grandfather, Sgt. Benjamin Wait, was killed by the Indians. For those of you in the east, with an interest in the history of central MA or our Indian heritage especially, can go here to see about this seminar.  The link to the March seminar has now been taken down, sorry!