Wedgwood - Table service (2) - Earthenware - Fruit tester

Wedgwood octagonal fruit drainer is a beautiful antique specimen from the late 19th century. Pieces from this period are often made of the strong Queen's Ware and are highly sought after by collectors of classic English tableware.

Function: Designed as a draining dish for freshly washed fruit; it is almost always paired with a matching underplate to catch water.

The Etruria factory (1769–1950)
In the period these pieces were manufactured, this was the main location of Wedgwood.

The drip tray:
(AFВ)
V = 1867
A = April (the month of manufacture).
F = The code for the individual potter.
The loose letter T
A standalone letter that is not in the row of three is not part of the date code.
This is a so-called "tally mark", a personal marker of a specific potter or decorator.
Payment: These marks were used to keep track of who made which piece, so the craftsmen could be paid per piece.
This hand-stamped fruit tester was made here by artisans who for generations refined their techniques (such as punching the hearts and diamonds).

The saucer:
First letter (O): The month of manufacture. The "O" stands for October.
Second letter (O): This is an identification code for the potter or the team that made the piece.
Third letter (F): The year letter. The letter "F" stands for the year 1877.

Based on these codes this item was produced in October 1877. Because this is before 1891 you will only see the name "WEDGWOOD" without the addition "England".

A beautiful, authentic antique set. Although there is a 9-year gap between the production of the two parts, these shapes (the octagonal fruit drains) were produced for decades in the same design, making them a perfect set. In the 19th century it was very common to buy tableware pieces separately or replace them later.

Saucer: 15.5 x 11.5 x 2.5 cm
Drainer: 9.5 x 9.5 x 3 cm
Weight: Saucer 160 g, Drainer 75 g

See photos for a good impression.