Lord Wedgwood the Potter

PIERS ANTHONY WEYMOUTH, also known as Lord Wedgwood, the 26-year-old scion of the English china dynasty, is touring America. He comes not to take "snaps" of the Grand Canyon or the skyline of New York, he comes to promote trade and commerce in the 'colonies,' a 200-year-old tradition in his family. One of Wedgwood's former local customers had been Benjamin Franklin; in Pier's few more.

Long years ow Wedgwood service to the English royal family now include the currently popular commemorative pieces that the family company has produced to celebrate tomorrow's marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. The mutual appreciation that has developed between royalty and Wedgewood pottern began about 11 years before the American Revolution. In July of 1765 one of Queen Charlotte's maids of honor, the Honorable Deborah Chetwynd, induced her Majesty to order a cream service from Wedgwood. Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the pottery empire, executed his first royal order with exacting care, shepherding the entire proceeding, including the inlay of the glad and the floral illumination of the borders. During his early schooldays, while crossing the moors at Newcastle, Josiah had delighted in the wild-flowers that sprouted forth from the deserted landscape and he later incorporated these observations into his pottery designs. All of his artistry and imagination greatly satisfied the queen, and she later allowed for the pattern to be entitled. "The Queen's Ware" and stamped "potter to Her Majesty."

With this powerful endorsement the ware quickly came to be recognized not only for its practical value, but for its collectibility as well. Lady Diana's father, Earl Spencer, as well as Queen Elizabeth, are among its present day patrons. At Windsor Castle there is an entire room which carries, and honors, the name--The Wedgwood Room. Josiah's words were, at last, prophetic, when he said in his Experiment Book, "I saw the field was spacious, and the soil was good, as to promise an ample recompense to any who should labour diligently in its cultivation."

JOSIAH was more than a crafty businessman. He was the spiritual father of a special British enterprise--one that has survived the gain and loss of an empire. Piers, the portly sould who must continue the family work, is proud. He says, "Josiah was the thirteenth child in the fourth generation of potters. His great grandfather was the first Wedgwood potter. His own father died when he was only nine years old and he was apprenticed to his eldest brother from the age of nine to 21. He happened to be very ill during that period and was not considered to be very productive." Josiah thus had to begin alone, an especially difficult task in what was, at the time, largely a cottage industry. "Until this time." Piers continues, "they were using mud in a very primitive state, sometimes from the highways of that day. There was very little in terms of people experimenting with other clays and minerals until Josiah really blew the whole thing open. This is why I think that he refers to the field being so spacious, there was so much to achieve, and he knew that."

The "colonies" have traditionally been the largest importers of Wedgwood in the world--40 percent of the Wedgwood exports. Jasper ware, the most popular pattern, not only displays an appreciation of a craft, but also exemplifies art and commerce in union to create a successful industry. Lord Wedgwood says seriously, "Josiah was the greatest man of any age and any country that went about uniting art and industry."

Since 1759, when the Wedgwood firm was founded, many people have found it a superb investment. Its backstraps, first applied in the 1760s, first indicated Wedgwood's value as a collector's item. The popularity of the ornamental pieces evolved with changes in taste: the baroque and rococo styles were began to give way in the 18th-century to more classical designs, as a result of the discoveries in both Greece and Italy. Lord Wedgwood himself only collects contemporary pieces. He explains, "I really don't like living in a museum-type atmosphere. All the pieces I have are very functional, even though they are very decorative pieces as well."

Last spring Lord Wedgwood officially joined the Wedgwood Company of Baralston and underwent an intensive training program that included not only the marketing of Wedgwood products, but the manufacturing processes as well. During this period the Lord actually attempted to "throw a pot." Reflecting upon this experience he articulates not only a good-natured amateurism, but also an appreciation of an apprentice about to embark on a journey. Piers jocularly proclaims, "I'm absolutely dreadful. I tried pottery and all the different processes in the factory, but it really takes an awfully long time to become an accomplished potter, decorator, and ornamenter. Within our factory we have fourth and fifth generation potters and decorators. It is a talent that is inherent."