The collection at Saltram

Josiah Wedgwood at Saltram 

Pioneering potter Josiah Wedgwood opened his own factory in 1759. An innovative designer, his work became so popular that visiting his London shop was often difficult because the queues were so long.

Wedgwood ceramics at Saltram

The collection at Saltram features several ceramic styles created by Wedgwood. These include black basalt items that emulate ancient Greek and Roman pots – a perfect fit for Saltram’s classically inspired interiors.  

A Wedgwood lamp

The lamp with three cast figures inspired by ancient Greek hanging lamps was bought by Theresa Parker. She wrote excitedly to her brother: 'We have just bought a beautiful lamp of the Black Staffordshire ware.’ 

Creamware at Saltram

Creamware was another Wedgwood invention that became incredibly popular. Looking to the field of engineering, the potter became interested in the lathes used to decorate metalwork and turn ivory.

The results can be seen on a set of vases in the collection at Saltram. With such an innovative application of technology, Wedgwood was ahead of his time.

Pebble garniture

Another example of Wedgwood’s ceramic style is the pebble garniture set found in the Dining Room. Wedgwood often experimented with materials, and his aim in this case was to produce a ceramic resembling stone. The dark granite ‘pebble’ look of these vases was created with a unique type of glaze, mixed from cobalt, iron and manganese. 

Chinese wallpaper 

Saltram house contains four different types of Chinese wallpaper, all beautiful and extremely rare. Made in China in the 18th century, these wallpapers were exported specifically to Europe and probably put up in Saltram in the 1750s or '60s. 

The wallpaper would've been made by printing figures or scenes onto paper in black and white. These would then have been painted by hand. If you look closely, you can see how the wallpaper was cut to fit the room.

Handmade wallpaper designs

Some of the scenes are repeated and different borders have been added. You may also be able to make out that some of the figures and birds have been cut out by hand and pasted on top. 

In the Dressing Room, you can spot the tall, swaying figures, often described as ‘long Elizas’, among porcelain vases, birds and flowers.

In the Study – which would then have been a sitting room – some of these figures are pasted together with landscape scenes. 

Chinese bedroom wallpaper

The wallpaper in the Chinese Chippendale Bedroom depicts the manufacture of tea. It shows men collecting leaves and packing up crates, while others stamp the tea down with their feet.

Tea drinking in Georgian England

Drinking tea had become very popular in England by the 18th century, though it was very expensive. Only the rich could afford tea, and so tea ‘parties’ were a chance to show off wealth and good taste.

Tea was kept under lock and key in a tea caddy, and only served in the finest china. Chinese wallpaper depicting the manufacturing process would've provided a fitting backdrop. 

The Axminster carpet 

When visiting Saltram, be sure to explore the Saloon – one of the best and most complete rooms designed by architect Robert Adam.

Finished in 1772, it's a space designed to impress, featuring one of the largest Axminster carpets ever made, along with furniture by Chippendale and paintings by Joshua Reynolds. 

Saltram's Tudor Nuremberg Chronicle 

The oldest book in the Library is a copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle. Published in 1493, it's a history of the world and, unusually for its time, contains around 1,800 woodcut print illustrations.

This copy originally belonged to a monastery in Bavaria. It came to Saltram in the 19th century, when such texts were purchased to show the wealth and education of the collector. 

Metamorphic furniture

As libraries became more popular, so the demand for furniture that was both beautiful and useful grew. Saltram has examples of this so-called ‘metamorphic’ furniture, including ‘Campbell’s newly invented Library Steps’, which neatly pack away into a table.

Also look out for the chair that when turned upside down suddenly becomes a set of steps, useful for reaching the highest books.