Unlike most old English potters, Josiah Wedgwood marked the majority of his products and Wedgwood Identification and Dating marks are something for which the collector should always look. These trademarks, which always contain the work Wedgwood, have differed for various reasons throughout the company’s history.
By becoming familiar with the dozen or so main variations of the Wedgwood mark and by knowing when each was in use, a collector can determine an approximate period of production of an object. A guide to trademarks is listed here and by careful study most collectors can acquire a reasonably sound knowledge.
Determining the specific year of production of an item is somewhat more complicated, and this calls for close examination of a variety of other marks, such as three-letter date marks, registration marks, artists signatures or monograms and other devices. In addition to these, the style and method of production should be kept in mind as giving clues to dating.
Dating Wedgwood can sometime be very difficult as apart from the Trademark there are also in some cases letters that accompany the marks to give a more accurate manufacture date and most old pieces have this second mark. To better date a particular piece collectors will often also refer to this marking.
If you are looking to find the value of Wedgwood pieces, we have expert appraisers on hand. Simply click on Ask an Appraiser box and you will be directed to an appraiser who can help.
| Wedgwood Marks | Wedgwood Date Marks Information |
|---|---|
 | Probably the first mark. Supposed to have been used by Josiah Wedgwood at Burslem 1759 to 1769. |
 | This is a very rare Wedgwood mark, used at the Bell Works 1764 to 1769. |
 | Used in varying sizes from 1759 to 1769. |
 | The circular stamp, without out the inner and outer rings, and with the word Etruria is doubtless the earliest form of the Wedgwood and Bentley stamp, 1769. |
 | This mark, with the word Etruria, was fixed in the corner, inside the plinth of old basalt vases. It is sometimes found on the pedestal of a bust of large figure, 1769 to 1780. |
 | This circular stamp, with an inner and outer line, was always placed around the screw of the basalt, granite and Etruscan vases, but is never found on Jasper vases, 1769 -1780. |
 | Unique script mark, Wedgwood & Bentley, 1769 to 1780. |
 | Mark used on Wedgwood & Bentley intaglios, with the catalogue number varying in size, 1769 to 1780. |
 | Very small intaglios were sometimes marked W&B with the catalogue number, or simply with the number only, 1769 to 1780. |
 | Rare Wedgwood and Bentley mark found only on chocolate and white seal intaglios, usually portraits made of two layers of clay with the edges polished for mounting, 1769 – 1780. |
 | These marks, varying in size are found upon busts, granite and basalt vases, figures, plaques, medallions and cameos, from the largest tablet to the smallest cameo, 1769 to 1780. |
 | Varying in size, these marks are attributed to the period after Bentley’s death (1780) and probably used for a time after Josiah’s death 1795. |
 | Very rare Wedgwood and Sons mark used for a short period in 1790. |
 | Mark of Josiah Wedgwood II. Supposedly a new partnership or change in the firm. It may be the date when the design was first registered, 1805. Sometimes 2nd Feby appears instead of Feb 2 |
 | The mark upon Wedgwood bone china or porcelain, made 1812 to 1828, always printed either in red, blue or in gold. |
 | From 1769 to the present day this mark has been impressed in the clay on Queens Ware, or printed in colour. In recent times the words Etruria and Barlaston and the name of the pattern have in many cases been printed in addition to the trade mark. From 1780, ornamental Jasper, Black Basalt, cane, terra cotta and Queens Ware are always marked with this stamp. The word England was added in 1891. |
 | These Wedgwood Etruria marks are rarely found on pieces of a very high character. Adopted about 1840 but used for only a short period. |
 | This mark, used on Wedgwood bone china, was adopted in 1878 when the manufacture of bone china was revived. It is printed in various colors. |
 | England was added to the mark Wedgwood in 1891 to comply with the American Customs Regulation known as the McKinley Tariff Act. |
 | Mark used today on bone china, developed from mark of 1878. In 1974 the circled R was added to back stamps to indicate that the name Wedgwood is a registered trade mark. |
 | This mark, printed in color, is being used today on Queens Ware, starting in 1940. In 1974 the circled R was added to back stamps to indicate that the name Wedgwood is a registered trade mark. |
 | This mark is printed on oven-to-tableware ranges. The circled R was added to back stamps to indicate that the name Wedgwood is a registered trade mark. |
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