Creamware

Creamware
Creamware Plate, 1780-1790 V&A Museum no. 2302-1901

Creamware is a cream-coloured, refined earthenware created about 1750 by the potters of Staffordshire, England, which proved ideal for domestic ware. It was popular until the 1840s. It was also known as tortoiseshellware or Prattware depending on the colour of glaze used. It served as an inexpensive substitute for Chinese export porcelain.

The most notable producer of creamware was Josiah Wedgwood. Around 1779, he was able to lighten the cream colour to a bluish white using cobalt in the lead overglaze. Wedgwood sold this more desirable product under the name pearl ware. Widely imitated, pearlware is used currently to distinguish pieces with this bluish-tinged or "China" glaze. Wedgwood supplied his creamware to Queen Charlotte and Catherine the Great and used the trade name Queen's ware.

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