Celebrating 250 years of iconic tableware

Wedgwood is a name that has become iconic in tableware design. Wedgwood plates, dishes and other dining creations have graced the tables of notables around the world for the past two centuries including Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, Queen Charlotte, Jane Austen, Queen Elizabeth II and President Theodore Roosevelt.

Despite a bittersweet beginning to the 250th anniversary this year—the company filed for bankruptcy protection in early January—Wedgwood designs are being celebrated in a new book by Tricia Foley. “At Home with Wedgwood: The Art of the Table,” mixes old designs with the new and showcases, through the photography of former Westhampton resident Jeff McNamara, how today’s collectors integrate the designs in their homes.

During a recent telephone interview, Ms. Foley explained that while she was president of the Wedgwood company, she noticed a big gap between collections of old Wedgwood pieces and the new designs, which, along with the anniversary, prompted her to write the book. “There are a lot of books on Wedgwood, none of which show the lifestyle of Wedgwood or table setting,” she added.

In “At Home with Wedgwood,” Ms. Foley illustrates how to mix the old designs with the newest Wedgwood pieces and how to incorporate them into one’s daily life.

According to Michelle Richards, public relations director for Wedgwood International, the author succeeds in doing so.

“The beautiful photos show how you can mix to create a contemporary and unique style,” she said, adding that it is a misnomer that the elegant pieces are too fragile to be used everyday, as today’s designs are more durable and can even go in the dishwasher.

Ms. Foley’s book is separated into four sections. The first, “The Story of Wedgwood,” gives readers a comprehensive overview of the company’s history and growth. In “Inspired by the Past,” Ms. Foley assembles examples of different collectors’ incorporation of Wedgwood into their everyday table settings. In “Designed for Today,” she explores modern designers’ contributions to Wedgwood. The last section, “Timeless Traditions,” provides photos of a sampling of current Wedgwood designs.

“The book shows how people live with and use Wedgwood everyday,” Ms. Foley said.

Of the collectors and designers included in the book, many have connections to the East End.

“About one-third of the book features people who own homes on the East End,” Ms. Foley said. “There are a lot of designers who love the Hamptons because of its aesthetic, which seems to represent the same kind of aesthetic appreciated by Wedgwood.”

The Wedgwood look is described by Ms. Richards as “classic and timeless.” She said that this aesthetic view was shared also by Ms. Foley, making her the first person Wedgwood executives thought of for the book.

Charlotte Moss, a resident of East Hampton for approximately 25 years, is one of the featured collectors in the book.

“She [Ms. Foley] knew I had a china fetish and collecting addiction,” Ms. Moss said recently, explaining how Ms. Foley approached her. Featured in the book is a table set for a midnight supper, mixing black basalt with creamware.

“I chose black basalt for the book because I loved what Wedgwood was doing in its new collection of basalt and how it was working with the old collection while still being so modern,” Ms. Moss said. She added that she thought the book was very user-friendly, giving readers varied ideas from which to draw inspiration for their own table setting.

“That book is beautifully produced, I hope that it triggers a trend for people to entertain more and look into their cupboards and use what they already own in new ways,” Ms. Moss said. “I think all those different points of views will be very inspiring for those who bought the book or should rush out and buy it now.”

A few of Ms. Foley’s favorite places to find Wedgwood on the East End are Sage Street Antiques, Ruby Beets and Bloom in Sag Harbor and Elegant Setting in Southampton. Newer pieces are also available on the Wedgwood website at wedgwood.com. Ms. Foley said another imperative Wedgwood source is the website replacements.com, which sells replacements for broken or missing dinnerware sets.

“At Home With Wedgwood: The Art of the Table” by Tricia Foley is available for purchase on Amazon and other major book sellers.