Pottery & Porcelain Marks – Words & Initials – W: Wedgwood was founded by Josiah Wedgwood I in 1759 and made basalt, Jasper, Queen's Ware, and dozens of other types of pottery and porcelain in the centuries it has been working. The word "Wedgwood" was part of almost every mark used from 1759 to the present and the mark can date the piece. But beware, other companies also used the word "Wedgwood" or "Wedgewood."