Jasper

Jasper or jasperware is a type of pottery that was developed in England. This pottery was introduced by Josiah Wedgwood in 1775. Initially, he began experimenting to create innovative and new ceramic material. These experiments led to the manufacture of jasper, which was a type of stoneware made using translucent clay. Jasper had a stoneware body that was unglazed and fine-grained. This pottery gets its name from some natural mineral of the same name as it is as hard as jasper itself. Though white in colour, it could be coloured using colouring agents like metallic oxide. While the colour on the surface of jasperware is known as dip, the colour throughout the surface is known as solid. Some of the popular jasper shades include blue, lilac, green, black and yellow.

Apart from Josiah Wedgwood, other English pottery makers like Adams and Dudson also created beautiful and colourful jasperware. Wedgewood jasperware, especially Wedgewood vases are extremely popular among collectors due to their unique designs. Generally, the combination of complete blue-coloured body and added white ornamentation on jasperware is quite popular. Some of the jasperwares include vases, tableware, portrait medallions, candlesticks, canister and even furniture mounts. These were beautifully designed and looked extremely striking. Jasperware is sturdy, durable and blends beautifully in the ambience. Even today, jasperware is sought after by many collectors across the world.