Wedgwood's Beautiful Baubles and Blues

Let me preface this with something I hope I don't have to say too often: Don't get too excited. These are all sold out. But they are just so pretty and as this blog is a collection of beautiful things, well, I just want them on it. I'm like putty when it comes to powdery pastels and icy blues (our Christmas tree is white with arctic blue baubles) and Wedgwood is synonymous with slate blue pottery, hence 'Wedgwood blue', as well as Royal service and the Peter Rabbit dishes from our collective childhood. Wedgwood was established by innovative ceramacist Josiah Wedgwood in 1759. Can you imagine the pride in knowing that 250 years later your legacy would live on and flourish in the spirit in which it was conceived and nurtured? Except that I don't think he was doing designer collaborations back then.

I have three of their little dishes that I bought at the Tynemouth market for I think £1 each. At that price you can blow your nose on them, but that's not really good use now is it? Below are two of them along with a handpainted gold leaf Japanese dish from 1877 which is the thing that the younger children of friends feel compelled to run up to and slam with their fist. It's a miracle it's still intact. It only cost £2.50 but that's not the point. Pocket change for an antique and people still barter if you can believe it. I witnessed one woman trying to get a bargain on a figurine that was 50p. I'll pay 35p for that but no way I'm paying 50! Those vendors stand out there all day and may only make a few quid for their trouble. You might as well just steal it when she's not looking, that would be more dignified!

 

Okay, at this point I was going to show the Wedgwood teacups I'm in love with - collecting tea cups is a phase I've been going through for about five years now and I don't think it's a coincidence that it began when I moved to England - or go on about how I've brought blue into our house as it's the colour I'm most happy living with. I'm going to take photos of all the blue, in whatever form and do a show and tell. Seeing as it's an ungodly hour I'm going to save both for follow ups. Part two coming tomorrow...

But here's a preview in the meantime, I didn't stop until I found the exact blue I wanted for the walls:

Comments

[Jem]

Denise!! I'm so in love!! What stunning baubles!

Jem xXx

[Molly Aleza Vogel]

This post made me smile a lot and left me with a warm, slightly fuzzy feeling. You are divine!

[WendyB]

Loooove Wedgwood blue. It's so peaceful!

[alexandra keller]

good news!!! it looks like the US part of the website still has them and they are on sale!!!
http://na.wwrd.com/ae/us/home-d+eacutecor/holiday-ornaments/icat/homedecorornaments_ww/

[Denise @ Swelle]

Jem - Aren't they? And now that I know they're still available in the US and even on sale but they don't ship internationally, it really stings! There's a teacup and saucer bauble, too!

Molly - Aw, thank you!!!

Wendy - That's the perfect way to describe it, it's so calming.

Alex - I'm dying. That's not fair we can't get them here even at full price but I do hope it makes your Christmas even lovelier!

Denise ♥

[kim]

Well, I think you could guess that these items would touch a nerve, a ragged little covetous greed nerve, in yours truly. All your glassy items are lovely, as is that shade of blue. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Leslie Canavan]

You can find the baubles at Home Goods and on line on eBay and elsewhere, just google around!