An antique wine bottle, crafted in 1776 and adorned with an inscription dedicated to the pottery pioneer Thomas Wedgwood, is slated to go under the hammer in an upcoming Hansons auction scheduled for October. The personalized inscription on the bottle’s collar reads: “Thomas Wedgwood of the Big House, Burslem, Staffordshire. Born 1703. Died 1776.”
Anticipation surrounds this unique artifact, which is expected to command a price ranging between £6,000 and £8,000. Charles Hanson, the founder of Hansons Auctioneers based in Derbyshire, envisions this historic piece finding a place of prominence in a museum due to its significant historical value.
Thomas Wedgwood, a central figure in the entrepreneurial legacy of the Wedgwood family, made profound contributions to the early days of Staffordshire Potteries. Wedgwood pottery, established in 1759, gained international renown for its exquisite English pottery creations. Hanson notes that Wedgwood’s inventive contributions, including innovations such as green glaze, creamware, black basalt, and jasperware, set a standard that was swiftly emulated.
Wedgwood’s efforts extended to enhancing production, streamlining sales, and establishing showrooms in London to showcase their tableware in alignment with contemporary trends.
Hanson commented on Wedgwood’s legacy, stating, “An entrepreneurial spirit ran in the Wedgwood family’s veins, particularly Thomas’s. He was a giant in terms of his impact in the early days of Staffordshire Potteries.”
The Wedgwood brand received a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 1995, further underscoring its prestigious standing.
The upcoming Hansons auction will feature an array of Wedgwood pieces, including this historic wine bottle, as part of the sale scheduled for October 5-6 in Derbyshire. While previous Wedgwood items have fetched prices ranging from $40 to $53,732 in auctions, the unique provenance of this particular wine bottle is poised to attract significant attention from collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
