The New Book on Wedgwood

Anyone interested in Martha Stewart is surely interested in Wedgwood. Martha has extensive personal collections of Wedgwood ceramics and chinaware and has worked with the brand over the years to create her own lines of Martha Stewart drabware and fine-bone china, which she sold through Martha by Mail, her former catalog business, and Macy's department store. Many of us remember her informative television segments that extolled the virtues of this 250 year-old brand. Some of us, too, may remember some of our grandmothers' or parents' Wedgwood pieces, perhaps cobalt-blue ceramic tea cups with white relief patterns, perched on a shelf in the dining room cabinet, or ceramic vases or coasters or jewelry boxes.

Wedgwood has just released its first ever coffee table book, pulling together the vast history of its archives with some of its most innovative and modern collections. "Wedgwood: A Story of Creation and Innovation" was produced by Rizzoli and is a beautiful tome with full-colour photographs of some of the company's finest examples, old and new. Author Gaye Blake-Roberts tells the full story of the Wedwood firm, from its inception in 1759 in England to its present-day incarnation as an emerging lifestyle brand.

Wedgwood, now owned by Finnish housewares brand Fiskars, is embarking on a revitalization campaign to make Wedgwood more appealing to younger consumers. By working with young designers, such as Lee Broom, and bringing a new sense of modernity to the designs (without sacrificing the prestigious heritage collections or the time-honoured manufacturing techniques), the company is attempting to fuse current lifestyle trends with a 300 year-old history of traditional craftsmanship. It's quite exciting!

Young British designer Lee Broom, shown above, was enlisted by Wedgwood to design a modern collection of Jasperware pieces.

Wedgwood has also commissioned a new line of teas with exotic blends from around the world.

I highly recommend watching this panel discussion with the author of the book, Gaye Blake-Roberts. She is joined on stage by designer Lee Broom and Fiskars senior vice president, Eva Ziegler, at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, represented in the discussion by V&A Director Tristram Hunt. Click the highlighted link above and scroll down to find the video.

The new book is gorgeous and is essential for any Wedgwood collector or anyone interested in the brand, in ceramics or British history. Below are some photographs from the book.

The book is in stores now and can also be ordered on Amazon.