Where Minton and George Jones ruled the majolica market in England, Wedgwood dominated the export market.
Wedgwood's largest buyer was the Victorian American consumer and the American consumer loved Ocean. Though it wasn't the largest series the company produced, that distinction goes to Fan, it was by far the most popular pattern in the American market. Sometimes referred to as Shell & Seaweed, it is one of many gorgeous majolica patterns made by various companies inspired by sea life.
There are two patterns made by Wedgwood that carry the Ocean name. The first one is the earliest and most commonly found. The plates feature a large shell surrounded by waves, with a sprig of seaweed draped across it. The pattern was one of the earliest specialty patterns made by the company in Argenta starting in 1870 but of course it was also made in conventional glaze. Hollowware pieces usually had a ground color of ivory, turquoise or cobalt, but sometimes can be found in gray or brown.
Wedgwood majolica Ocean plate
Wedgwood's largest buyer was the Victorian American consumer and the American consumer loved Ocean. Though it wasn't the largest series the company produced, that distinction goes to Fan, it was by far the most popular pattern in the American market. Sometimes referred to as Shell & Seaweed, it is one of many gorgeous majolica patterns made by various companies inspired by sea life.
There are two patterns made by Wedgwood that carry the Ocean name. The first one is the earliest and most commonly found. The plates feature a large shell surrounded by waves, with a sprig of seaweed draped across it. The pattern was one of the earliest specialty patterns made by the company in Argenta starting in 1870 but of course it was also made in conventional glaze. Hollowware pieces usually had a ground color of ivory, turquoise or cobalt, but sometimes can be found in gray or brown.
Wedgwood also had a problem with Ocean being copied, specifically their Ocean jug. The culprit is believed to be Hawley & Co., who copied registered designs by other potteries as well. It is easy to tell the copies by their crude glazing and lack of a Wedgwood mark on the base.
Wedgwood Ocean majolica butter pat.
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean small plate
Wedgwood majolica Ocean cup & saucer
Wedgwood majolica Argenta cup & saucer
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean plate
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean plate
Wedgwood majolica Ocean 7" plate
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean butter pat
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean butter pat
Wedgwood majolica Ocean pitchers
Ocean jug copy attributed to Hawley & Co.
Wedgwood majolica Ocean Oyster Tray
Wedgwood majolica Ocean Oyster Tray,
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean Oyster Tray
catalog number 2837
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean teapot
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean jug
Wedgwood majolica Ocean tea set
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean ice cream
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean salmon platter
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Ocean plate
Wedgwood majolica Ocean salmon platter
Page from the Wedgwood pattern book showing the
design of the Ocean oyster plate
Wedgwood majolica Ocean oyster plate
Wedgwood Argenta majolica Ocean oyster plate
Some wonderfully whimsical serving pieces were also created as go-alongs.
Wedgwood majolica Ocean spooner
Wedgwood majolica Ocean spooner
Wedgwood majolica Ocean butter dish
Wedgwood majolica Ocean condiment set
Wedgwood Argenta majolica sardine box
Wedgwood majolica boat platter
Wedgwood majolica sardine box
Wedgwood Argenta majolica sardine box
Wedgwood majolica Argenta boat platter
The second Ocean pattern made its debut in the late 1880's and is very different in look and feel. It is not easily found today. It was sometimes referred to in the Wedgwood pattern books as Shells.
Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate
Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate
Wedgwood majolica Shells oyster plate
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Shells oyster plate
Wedgwood majolica Shells salad set
Wedgwood majolica Argenta Shells salmon platter
Wedgwood majolica Shells gravy
Wedgwood majolica Shells Argenta plate
Wedgwood Shells dessert plate
Wedgwood majolica Shells sardine box
Wedgwood majolica Shells sardine box
Wedgwood Ocean is one of the most easily found Wedgwood patterns in the United States. As such the prices have stayed reasonable and within the range of most majolica collectors.
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