The Estense Castle as shown in Wedgwood ceramics
The use of ceramics dates back to the Neolithic age, the period that produced the first Kyushu (Japan) artefacts in the XI millennium B.C. The subsequent introduction of the potter's wheel enabled perfectly symmetrical work to be created. Glazing was first used during the II millennium A.C. in Mesopotamia, notably improving wear resistance and the appearance of the products. The manufacturing of porcelain began in the VIII century B.C. in China.
The word 'ceramic' comes from the Greek keramos, "clay jar", and means articles made with fired clay whereas 'terracotta' refers to unpainted pottery. The Greek civilisation monopolized the market for this art form until the IV century A.C, when the centre of production shifted to Boeotia, Etruria, Magna Graecia e Sicily. Many centuries later the influence of this type of pottery inspired Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the English ceramics industry, to name his factory Etruria, destined to become one of the most famous pottery works in the world. Josiah Wedgwood (Burslem, 12th July 1730 - Stoke-on-Trent, 3rd January 1795) began working in the family business when he was 9 years old. In 1759 he formed a partnership with Thomas Whieldon, a renowned and successful pottery-maker, inventor and first manufacturer of English cream-coloured ceramics. During this period Wedgwood began experimenting with the latest techniques regarding form and colour. In 1759 he set up his own business and continued the production of cream-coloured ceramics, known as creamware, particularly appreciated by Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III. The line changed name to Queen's Ware and the publicity that it received from this patronage, together with the high quality of the goods, made it the most preferred choice of all household chinaware, both in England and abroad. In 1768 production was focused on unglazed decorative hard-paste porcelain, highlighted with a classical style. In 1771 Wedgwood founded the Etruria manufacturing works in Staffordshire, producing ornamental vases. The motto he chose was Artes Etruriae Renascantur, "the rebirth of Etrurian arts", and made use of modern work methods:combining the talents of the designer, John Flaxman, who dealt with the form and decoration of the manufactured goods,with the craftsmen divided into molders, turners, shapers, decorators and finishers. On Wedgwood's death two of his sons and a grandchild carried on with the activity, but struggled with the difficulties resulting from wars and changes in public taste. This eventually meant that the industry reconverted to the production of decorated porcelain. The Wedgwood Pottery also experimented with blue glazed china, and introduced several different models including "Ferrara" and "Landscape", which continued to be manufactured over a long period of time. The pieces decorated with images of the Castello Estense seem rather fanciful: sailing ships and galleons, that appear to be taken straight out of a pirate novel, float in front of a dream-like, enchanted castle giving a somewhat exotic image. This was exactly what the Victorian public sought after, something to amuse and capture their attention whilst sipping afternoon tea. The "Ferrara" model was produced at the Wedgwood Pottery Works in Burslem in about 1832. Firstly in blue, then in brown, green, pink-red and purple-crimson. It was designed by William Brookes and features the Palazzo Ducale of Ferrara, but the ships in the foreground are adapted from an old print of the port of Liverpool. The two views are superimposed in order to obtain this fanciful but seductive picture of the Castello Estense. For over 160 years the "Ferrara" model, printed on millions of pieces of china, made this illustration of the castle and the name of the City of Ferrara famous all over the world.
civilisation monopolized the market for this art form until the IV century A.C, when the centre of production shifted to Boeotia, Etruria, Magna Graecia e Sicily. Many centuries later the influence of this type of pottery inspired Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the English ceramics industry, to name his factory Etruria, destined to become one of the most famous pottery works in the world. Josiah Wedgwood (Burslem, 12th July 1730 - Stoke-on-Trent, 3rd January 1795) began working in the
family business when he was 9 years old. In 1759 he formed a partnership with Thomas Whieldon, a renowned and successful pottery-maker, inventor and first manufacturer of English cream-coloured ceramics. During this period Wedgwood began experimenting with the latest techniques regarding form and colour. In 1759 he set up his own business and continued the production of cream-coloured ceramics, known as creamware, particularly appreciated by Queen Charlotte, wife of 
King George III. The line changed name to Queen's Ware and the publicity that it received from this patronage, together with the high quality of the goods, made it the most preferred choice of all household chinaware, both in England and abroad. In 1768 production was focused on unglazed decorative hard-paste porcelain, highlighted with a classical style. In 1771 Wedgwood founded the Etruria manufacturing works in Staffordshire, producing ornamental vases. The motto he chose was Artes Etruriae Renascantur, "the rebirth of Etrurian arts", and made use of modern work methods:combining the talents of the designer, John Flaxman, who dealt with the form and decoration of the manufactured goods,
with the craftsmen divided into molders, turners, shapers, decorators and finishers. On Wedgwood's death two of his sons and a grandchild carried on with the activity, but struggled with the difficulties resulting from wars and changes in public taste. This eventually meant that the industry reconverted to the production of decorated porcelain. The Wedgwood Pottery also experimented with blue glazed china, and introduced several different models including "Ferrara" and "Landscape", which continued to be manufactured over a long period of time. The pieces decorated with images of the Castello Estense seem rather fanciful: sailing ships and galleons,
that appear to be taken straight out of a pirate novel, float in front of a dream-like, enchanted castle giving a somewhat exotic image. This was exactly what the Victorian public sought after, something to amuse and capture their attention whilst sipping afternoon tea. The "Ferrara" model was produced at the Wedgwood Pottery Works in Burslem in about 1832. Firstly in blue, then in brown, green, pink-red and purple-crimson. It was designed by William Brookes and features the Palazzo Ducale of Ferrara, but the ships in the foreground are adapted from an old print of the port of Liverpool. The two views are
superimposed in order to obtain this fanciful but seductive picture of the Castello Estense. For over 160 years the "Ferrara" model, printed on millions of pieces of china, made this illustration of the castle and the name of the City of Ferrara famous all over the world.