Wedgwood Marks: How to Date and Identify Wedgwood Pottery
Date Wedgwood using impressed marks, 'England' and 'Made in England', date codes and printed backstamps. Identify jasperware, basalt and creamware pieces.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Wedgwood is one of the most famous names in English ceramics, founded in the 18th century. Its marks are relatively well documented, which makes Wedgwood a good place to learn how marks date pottery.
The impressed mark
Most Wedgwood pieces carry the name WEDGWOOD impressed (pressed) into the clay. Variations in the lettering and accompanying words help date it.
Watch out: marks reading "Wedgewood" (with an extra E) belong to other makers.
Country marks
- "ENGLAND" added below the name points to the late 19th century or later.
- "MADE IN ENGLAND" generally indicates the 20th century.
See general rules in our pottery marks guide.
Date codes
For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Wedgwood impressed three-letter codes — the last letter often indicating the year of manufacture in a recurring cycle. Reference tables decode them. Later printed backstamps sometimes include year information too.
Printed backstamps
Later tableware usually has printed backstamps with the Wedgwood name, often a vase or portland vase emblem, pattern names and "Bone China" or "Made in England".
Main Wedgwood wares
- Jasperware: unglazed stoneware, famous for pale blue with white relief decoration (also green, lilac, black)
- Black basalt: unglazed black stoneware
- Creamware / Queen's Ware: cream-colored earthenware tableware
- Bone china: tableware and decorative pieces
- Majolica and other decorative lines
What affects value
- Age (18th and early 19th century pieces are most sought after)
- Ware type and rarity of color
- Quality of relief work on jasperware
- Condition
Much 20th-century jasperware is common and modestly priced.
Scan it
Scan the piece and the mark with AntiqueIQ for an identification, estimated era and value range. Related: porcelain marks and is my china worth anything.
Frequently asked questions
How do I date Wedgwood?
Use impressed marks, country wording and date codes, compared with reference tables.
Is blue Wedgwood jasperware valuable?
Older and finer pieces can be; much 20th-century jasperware sells modestly.
What does Wedgewood with an E mean?
It's not Wedgwood — it's another maker using a similar name.