Wedgwood’s Olympic Shape
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are now underway, launched in true Parisian style with a splendid, though a little wet, opening ceremony that set the tone for two weeks of grand expectation.
Whether a seasoned follower of athletics or not, the Olympic Games are truly special and often inspire themed merchandise or promotional items. Just short of 60 years ago, Wedgwood introduced its ‘Olympic’ shape, with patterns made in Queen’s Ware – the manufacturer’s fine-but-hard-wearing earthenware.
Robert Minkin was the designer behind these patterns – all created on the new ‘Olympic’ shape proudly described in this 1965 advert as “simple in concept, classic in outlook” and “the new shape for today, and every day”. This shape gracefully lent itself to six patterns: Sandstone, Sunflower, Corinth, Blue Mosaic, Yellow Diamond and Argosy.
Two of these are still found today, and what better time to celebrate them than in an Olympic year.
The most standout of the two is Wedgwood Sunflower. Prominently featuring a flower synonymous with happiness and positivity, Wedgwood Sunflower has a detailed flower pattern in the centre framed by a sage-green border on plates and platters, or handle/lid on tea and coffee items. It’s a popular collection that still brings joy today and is an ideal accent piece to brighten up lunch outdoors in summer.
The second of the Olympic-shape series still available 60 years on is Wedgwood Argosy. This pattern features a deep blue and black border with a repeating abstract flower theme. As seen on the bowls and tureen in this collection, this border is sometimes enhanced with an intricate motif. The colour blue is ever-popular in tableware – as is white – meaning Wedgwood Argosy’s white-and-blue theme perfectly complements modern collections.
We think this Olympic shape is a gold medal winner, for sure. If you need to replace a missing or damaged item of Wedgwood Sunflower or Wedgwood Argosy, or you’d like to add something new to your existing collection, please get in touch. We’ll search for the item for free to help get you over the finish line!
