Utilizing their "Powder Blue" process, Wedgwood has created a vase emulating a rare blue p...

Utilizing their "Powder Blue" process, Wedgwood has created a vase emulating a rare blue porphyry.  Gilt decoration suggests the sort of gold mounts one would expect to find on such an exotic piece.  Beneath the gilded lip, a shimmering band of solid gilt backs a trail of Persian inspired blue filigree studded with pink roses. Additional gilt filigree bands beneath this top border and around the slightly flaring foot leave ornate openings, revealing the mottled surface beneath -- just as one would expect of metal mounts on stone.

Reflecting a vein identified with 1920's design, the vase boasts an exotic richness within a clean restrained form.

Wedgwood's "Powder Blue" treatment is a twentieth century phenomenon.  Introduced in...

Wedgwood's "Powder Blue" treatment is a twentieth century phenomenon.  Introduced in 1910 in response to the urging of London retailers James Powell & Sons, it finally reached production in 1912.  The technique proved to be of vital importance to Wedgwood and remained in continuous use through most of the twentieth century.  

The concept is based on a similar blue ground made by the Chinese and offered in the eighteenth century by Worcester and Bow.  The original process involved blowing powder through a hollow tube onto a ground prepared with oil. Resembling the original wares only in look, Wedgwood's variation used  a colored ground which was then stippled with a fine grain sponge. Colors in addition to Powder Blue include turquoise, shagreen, ruby, pink, lilac and grey.

Sources tell us that Wedgwood assigned the name"Persian Rose" to this particular pattern. While we have not been able to document this, the designation is altogether appropriate.