DOES AN “E” REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? REAL OR FAKE WEDGWOOD
Judith Coebly, Plank Road #236
Wedgwood is a British pottery firm founded by Josiah Wedgwood in the mid 1700’s in Stoke on Trent in England. The company is known for its quality and craftsmanship.
Many fakes and copies have surfaced in the market. How do you know if your Wedgwood is authentic? There are some simple guidelines to help you determine the authenticity of your piece:
- Markings: Wedgwood is marked. These marks have changed throughout the history of the company. Unless you have a very old piece, a copy is easy to spot. True Wedgwood is either printed or embossed with: “Wedgwood England”, “Wedgwood Made in England” or “Wedgwood of Etruria & Barlaston”. If you see “& Company” this is not authentic Wedgwood. The company has merged with Waterford Crystal to become Waterford Wedgwood but the markings and names of the china have not changed.
- Icons: Sometimes there is an urn with the markings. Another company -not Wedgwood- uses a unicorn as their icon.
- Spelling of Wedgwood: If the marking is “Wedgewood” it is not authentic. The true Wedgwood Company does not spell the name with the e.
- Accents: The white accents are raised against the background. The fakes have the accents painted and flat.
- Finish: Glossy finishes tell us that the item is fake. Wedgwood has a matte finish.
- Beware of the 250th Anniversary Celebration merchandise. It is made in China! These items are a molded bisque type and do not meet the proper lead content standards.
Get a good reference book. Learn how to identify these clues in determining real or fake. After becoming informed, shop with a reputable dealer. Buy wisely. Buy informed. Be a true Quester!! References upon request