Wedgwood's Ocean Pattern

Where Minton and George Jones ruled the majolica market in England, Wedgwood dominated the export market.

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 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 Ocean majolica butter pat.

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.

Majolica Bottles and Decanters

One of the more unusual areas of collecting among majolica collectors is the majolica bottle. These generally fall into two categories: character bottles and barber bottle decanters.

Character bottles were often originally sold as containers for liqueurs or whiskey and are overwhelmingly German and French in origin. Barber bottles and decanters are usually English in origin.

Character bottles come in two sizes, large and small. The large bottles often have corked lids also made of majolica that fit into the base. They also sometimes  have a small opening or spigot for pouring. They are extremely popular with collectors, particularly the animals.

Kraus majolica bottle. Made in two sizes

Puss-in-Boots German majolica bottle

Wasmuël decanter, possibly Napoleon 

Boar majolica bottle marked H.B.

German majolica rabbit bottle marked R.H.

German/French majolica bottle marked B.L.

Bernard Bloch majolica bottle

Majolica bottle marked H.B.

German majolica bottle marked B.L.

Majolica bottle marked H.B.

German majolica bottle marked B.L.

Continental majolica monkey decanter

Majolica bottle marked H.B.

German majolica bottle marked B.L.

Kraus majolica figural bottle

Mafra palissy majolica decanter

The smaller bottles have plain cork plugs.

Brownie majolica bottle

Many of the late 19th century and early 20th century majolica character bottles have cork stoppers. Many were made by the Saint-Clément Pottery for the Garnier company as containers for spirits and came in three sizes.

Saint-Clément majolica parrot bottle

Saint-Clément majolica dog bottle

Saint Clément majolica cat bottle

The barber bottles and decanters are very different in both look and desirability. They aren't nearly as popular as the character bottles. They too have majolica lids fitted with cork stoppers These shown below are by Brownfield and Wedgwood.

Pair Wedgwood majolica bottles

Brownfield majolica decanter

Brownfield majolica bottles

Brownfield majolica bottle

This bottle by Adams & Bromley, has been seen by us two ways, with a round majolica cork stopper like the one below, and with a majolica drinking cup that sits upside down over the top.

Adams & Bromley pineapple decanter

The prices for the figural animal bottles can sometimes reach astronomical levels with some selling for thousands of dollars. The human figures sell for considerably less, generally under $400. The small character bottles can usually be purchased for under $150.

Barber bottles and decanters don't really have an established price point, with the available examples bringing what the market will bear.