George Wade & Son has played a significant role in the history of British ceramics for more than two centuries. Although aspects of the company’s early history remain debated, its influence on Stoke-on-Trent, British pottery and generations of collectors is beyond question. This website brings together that history, drawing on published research, family archives and previously unpublished material.
The history of the Wade business has become the subject of considerable debate. As Dave Lee explains in The Wade Dynasty, the traditional founding date of 1810 cannot be historically correct.
What is beyond doubt is that the Wade business grew into a household name, bringing joy to collectors around the world across many generations.
When Wade Ceramics went into administration in 2022 it was a huge shock to so many people and also meant that the Wade Collectors club also closed.
From the family’s point of view our family was deeply saddened by the prospect that the Wade name would no longer be associated with pottery production in Stoke-on-Trent.. I agreed with my father, Jeremy, that I would work on a museum-style website to celebrate everything Wade and make sure there is a permanent place online to find the full Wade story.
George Wade, 2026
The Wade Dynasty covers the family’s history in detail, while this website expands that story with new research and chapters published here for the first time.
This section of the site will highlight some of the the lesser-known members of the family the impact they had.
