Jasperware

Jasperware (from the English, after the mineral jasper ), refers to a arts and crafts processed ceramic material which is technically classified partly as stoneware, partly as soft-paste porcelain, is often correctly attributed also the little earthenware. Its essential components are clay, barium sulfate and Flint, also called heavy spar. Jasperware was developed by Josiah Wedgwood in Staffordshire. It is inspired in its forms of ancient models and marks the change of style to Classicism in the English ceramics. Wedgwood sought by recourse to designers like John Flaxman at the highest artistic quality. Since the late 1760s he had developed with the basalt goods a dyed black, very hard, stoneware -like material. A little later, since about 1775, he formed his vessels and decorative items made ​​in pastel-colored masses. Metal oxides by dyed materials were processed into unglazed goods receiving a matte, biscuit -like surface. The colors used were mostly dull blue, but also sea green, yellow and gray. On these colored rear separately modeled ( and quite similar to speculoos in molds pressed ) have been widely applied in white clay reliefs, which were created to outline effect. Became famous in 1790 the imitations made ​​by Wedgwood in this technique, the Portland Vase regarded as antique. Based on traditional techniques and forms Jasper Ware is still produced today.