INTERESTING VISITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 3

INTERESTING VISITOR

SCULPTOR AND DESIGNER A visitor who is of interest for more reasons than one is Mrs. C. T. Wedgwood, wife of one of the sixth generation of Wedgwoods since the famous Josiah, and also a great grand-daughter of Governor Hobson. She is at the Grand Hotel. Josiah Wedgwood was born in Burslem in 1730 of a yeoman family who took up potting in the reign of James I. He received very little schooling, and at the age of 14 became an apprentice in his brother's factory, whero the industry was at that time but a peasant craft, although advancing in technique and popularity. It produced jugs and mugs in cloudy black, red and mottled ware, made from clay found near by. Two innovations —flint and white clay brought from Dorset and Devon, and a lead glaze—were introduced at this time. They laid the foundations of a cream coloured earthenware, which Josiah was to make world famous. In 1763 Queen Charlotte, jvife of George 111 , ordered for her own uso a tea set with a gold ground and raised flowers in green, and so pleased she was with the set that she allowed this particular product to bear the name " Queen's Ware." From this time orders came from all parts of the world, and in 1774 a complete dinner set was made for the Empress Catherine of Russia. Each piece was decorated with a picture of the English countryIt was during this year that Josiah developed what was to prove his happiest experiment, and the substance that was to make him really famous—the " Wedgwood Jasper." It was made jn all shades of blue and green, ami in black and white. The celebrated English sculptor John Flaxman was employed in the workrooms. George fetubbs R.A. was also employed, and his portrait of Josiah and his wife Sally is well known. Keith. Murray, an Aucklander, who is now making a name for himself, and whose work was very highly commended in the recent Royal Academy Exhibition, is now designing for the firm. . , The vigorous personality ot Josiah, in whom were combined a keen business sense and a lovable disposition, survives bv means of letters. He married his cousin Sally in 1764, a woman of great culture and taste. He died in 1795. His daughter Susannah was the mother of Charles Darwin. Mrs. O. i. Wedgwood is very interested in designing and is a very clever sculptor.