Basalt pottery is also called Egyptian Black Basalt, Black Basalt or Basaltes.
It was named after the volcanic rock, basalt, due to its dense, glassy appearance.
Basalt pottery is unglazed stoneware and one of the earliest forms of English potteryrecorded (as early as 1710).
It was Neoclassically inspired andwas considerably developed by Josiah Wedgewood in 1768 in response to the "Egyptian Black" type of pottery that Staffordshire potteries had been producing at the time and so as to match the Etruscan black pottery pieces called "buchero onto" that were being excavated at Pompeii, Italy at the time.
Wedgwood even called his unpainted works "Etruscan" and described it as "fine black porcelain.
" And indeed, his "Etruscan" has a glass-like appearance that does not require glaze; it has an even surface and a black-purplish luster.
Basalt pottery was Wedgwood's first major commercial success.
Upon its appearance, many people embraced its black beauty and bought as many as Wedgwood's factory, Etruria, could produce.
Among the people who took a liking to Wedgwood's black basalt craft were Catherine the Great of Russia and George III and Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom.
The examples of basalt pieces that can be seen are vases, lamps, ink stands, candlesticks, ewers, plaques, teapots, tableware, portrait medallions and busts of historical figures - Wedgwood crafted a small scale reproduction of an original bronze statue by Eduardo Paolozzi.
The most common of these were pieces for tea and coffee.
After Wedgwood, many factories sought to emulate the allure of black basalt - even imitating Wedgwood's designs.
Some of the best post-Wedgwood potteries were Spode and Neale.
Basalt potterybecame most popular from 1790 to 1800.
By the early 1900's, there were already pieces with all-over glaze.
Basalt potteryis made with native clay, ground ironstone, ocher and manganese dioxide.
Although there are unadorned examples, black basalt pieces are usually intricately designed with low reliefs based on Greek, Roman and Etruscan original pieces.
Enamel colors were also sometimes burnt into the pieces, either in red or in white.
Pieces of this type of pottery are likely to become antiques due to their elegance and durability.
Basalt teacups and tea pots are prized not only because of their appearance but because of their hardness and because of their capacity to stand the pouring of boiling water without getting cracked.
Basalt potterygives an air of sophistication and affluence.
Many that were manufactured during the 1700's survive due to the high rate at which they were produced in their heyday.
Many of them find their places in basalt collections.
Upto the present, basalt pottery collectors have a very high regard for Wedgwood basalt pieces.
Some still consider them to be the best.
It was named after the volcanic rock, basalt, due to its dense, glassy appearance.
Basalt pottery is unglazed stoneware and one of the earliest forms of English potteryrecorded (as early as 1710).
It was Neoclassically inspired andwas considerably developed by Josiah Wedgewood in 1768 in response to the "Egyptian Black" type of pottery that Staffordshire potteries had been producing at the time and so as to match the Etruscan black pottery pieces called "buchero onto" that were being excavated at Pompeii, Italy at the time.
Wedgwood even called his unpainted works "Etruscan" and described it as "fine black porcelain.
" And indeed, his "Etruscan" has a glass-like appearance that does not require glaze; it has an even surface and a black-purplish luster.
Basalt pottery was Wedgwood's first major commercial success.
Upon its appearance, many people embraced its black beauty and bought as many as Wedgwood's factory, Etruria, could produce.
Among the people who took a liking to Wedgwood's black basalt craft were Catherine the Great of Russia and George III and Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom.
The examples of basalt pieces that can be seen are vases, lamps, ink stands, candlesticks, ewers, plaques, teapots, tableware, portrait medallions and busts of historical figures - Wedgwood crafted a small scale reproduction of an original bronze statue by Eduardo Paolozzi.
The most common of these were pieces for tea and coffee.
After Wedgwood, many factories sought to emulate the allure of black basalt - even imitating Wedgwood's designs.
Some of the best post-Wedgwood potteries were Spode and Neale.
Basalt potterybecame most popular from 1790 to 1800.
By the early 1900's, there were already pieces with all-over glaze.
Basalt potteryis made with native clay, ground ironstone, ocher and manganese dioxide.
Although there are unadorned examples, black basalt pieces are usually intricately designed with low reliefs based on Greek, Roman and Etruscan original pieces.
Enamel colors were also sometimes burnt into the pieces, either in red or in white.
Pieces of this type of pottery are likely to become antiques due to their elegance and durability.
Basalt teacups and tea pots are prized not only because of their appearance but because of their hardness and because of their capacity to stand the pouring of boiling water without getting cracked.
Basalt potterygives an air of sophistication and affluence.
Many that were manufactured during the 1700's survive due to the high rate at which they were produced in their heyday.
Many of them find their places in basalt collections.
Upto the present, basalt pottery collectors have a very high regard for Wedgwood basalt pieces.
Some still consider them to be the best.