I’ve started the new year with a milestone by listing a set of Wedgwood Napoleon Ivy vintage china. It is not easy to sort out multiple pieces and determine the market prices for each.
This dinnerware set is modeled after the dinnerware used by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile on Saint Helena after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. At the time, Napoleon was still in his prime at 46. Despite struggling in harsh conditions during his exile, he remained resilient and continued writing. His exile and death marked the end of an era, but his influence on the military, politics, and law remains significant to this day. The symbolic connection between Napoleon’s life and the enduring nature of ivy, combined with Wedgwood’s consistently high quality, has made this ceramic set a favorite among collectors.
The Napoleon Ivy pattern was first introduced by Wedgwood in the early 19th century, shortly after Napoleon's exile. And the pattern was reintroduced and mass-produced in the 20th century, particularly between the 1930s and 1950s, when Wedgwood expanded its international market and emphasized classic designs.
The full name of the set is Wedgwood Of Etruria & Barlaston Napolean Ivy China. At first, I was confused about the words Etruria & Barlaston, but then I did some research, in 1940, Wedgwood relocated to a new facility in Barlaston, Staffordshire. The Napoleon Ivy China set was extensively produced at this location, leveraging advancements in ceramic manufacturing while maintaining Wedgwood's traditional craftsmanship.
One interesting detail I noticed about this collection is that in the set I have, many of the bowls and plates were produced in different years, so their backstamps vary, I was fortunate to collect several variations of backstamps.