03
Processes of production
Modelling and prototyping are crucial stages in many design processes. This allows us to test methods of manufacture, helping to refine the look and feel of a finished object before production begins.
The examples here from the V&A Wedgwood Collection show how modellers at the Wedgwood factory in Staffordshire created models to be translated into ceramics, ranging from this 1770s teapot to this anti-racism medallion from 2021. Many Wedgwood goods are still based on models made over 250 years ago, reinterpreted for today.
Written by: Catrin Jones, Chief Curator of the V&A Wedgwood Collection
Published: May 2025
Description: Trial production for ‘I Am a Man and a Brother’ medallion
Maker: Amy Sproston, Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
Sourcebook for Design
- Museum Number
- M.85-1997
- Title/Description
- Maquette
- Artist/Maker
- Wendy Ramshaw
- Location
- England
- Date
- 1996
- Materials/Techniques
- Steel, Wood, Cutting
- Museum Number
- W.6-2016
- Title/Description
- Prototype table leg
- Artist/Maker
- Neal, Gareth
- Location
- London
- Date
- 2006
- Materials/Techniques
- Beech, Sawing
- Museum Number
- W.7-2016
- Title/Description
- Prototype table leg
- Artist/Maker
- Neal, Gareth
- Location
- London
- Date
- 2006
- Materials/Techniques
- Pine, Sawing
- Museum Number
- W.8-2016
- Title/Description
- Prototype table leg
- Artist/Maker
- Neal, Gareth
- Location
- London
- Date
- 2006
- Materials/Techniques
- Pine, Sawing
- Museum Number
- W.9-2016
- Title/Description
- Prototype table leg
- Artist/Maker
- Neal, Gareth
- Location
- London
- Date
- 2006
- Materials/Techniques
- Pine, Sawing
- Museum Number
- A.20-1931
- Title/Description
- Model for a monument to Lord Rodney
- Artist/Maker
- Bacon, John (the younger)
- Location
- England
- Date
- 1810
- Materials/Techniques
- Plaster, Modelling
- Museum Number
- CD.10-2017
- Title/Description
- Shuehi Endo: architectural model titled 'GroetectureB', for Bourbon Headquarters building, …
- Artist/Maker
- Endo, Shuhei
- Location
- Japan
- Date
- 2015
- Museum Number
- WE.1475-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Materials/Techniques
- Biscuit
- Museum Number
- WE.3175-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 1769 to 19th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Biscuit
- Museum Number
- WE.1474-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 1769 - 19th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Biscuit
- Museum Number
- WE.1479-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 1769 - 19th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Biscuit
- Museum Number
- WE.595-2014
- Title/Description
- Vase
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Materials/Techniques
- Earthenware, Glazing, Engine turning
- Museum Number
- WE.3168-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 1769-1795
- Museum Number
- WE.3266:1-2014
- Title/Description
- Model
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum Number
- WE.3395-2014
- Title/Description
- Mould
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Materials/Techniques
- Biscuit
- Museum Number
- WE.416-2014
- Title/Description
- Bottom knocker
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Materials/Techniques
- Wood, Metal
- Museum Number
- WE.1669-2014
- Title/Description
- Jigger
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum Number
- WE.1673-2014
- Title/Description
- Jigger
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum Number
- WE.1729-2014
- Title/Description
- Jigger
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum Number
- WE.1733-2014
- Title/Description
- Jigger
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum Number
- WE.4605-2014
- Title/Description
- Teapot
- Artist/Maker
- Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
- Location
- Etruria
- Date
- 1784
- Materials/Techniques
- Jasper ware, Moulding
- Museum Number
- WE.2-2023
- Title/Description
- Medallion
- Artist/Maker
- Fiskars UK Limited
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 2022
- Materials/Techniques
- Jasper
- Museum Number
- WE.4-2023
- Title/Description
- Mould for medallion
- Artist/Maker
- Fiskars UK Limited
- Location
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Date
- 2022
- Materials/Techniques
- Plaster