Cream-coloured English earthenware made in the late 18th century. It was designed as a substitute for Chinese porcelain. In 1762 Josiah Wedgwood achieved commercial success with this modestly priced utilitarian ware; restrained designs and elegant transfer printing (see Battersea enamelware) were compatible with his cream-glazed products. By 1790 many other factories (e.g., Liverpool, Bristol, Staffordshire) were producing creamware with success; continental imitations were generally inferior. Creamware was continually made throughout the 19th century and later.

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Creamware is a cream-coloured earthenware created about 1750 by the potters of Staffordshire, England, which proved ideal for domestic ware. It was popular until the 1820s. It was also known as tortoiseshellware or Prattware depending on the color of glaze used.

The most notable producer of creamware was Josiah Wedgwood. Around 1779, he was able to lighten the cream color to a bluish white and sold this more desirable product under the name pearl ware. Wedgwood supplied his creamware to Queen Charlotte and Catherine the Great and used the trade name Queen's ware.

External links

• Podcast interview with creamware expert.