A member of the Wade family has recreated one of Stoke-on-Trent's most recognised ceramics pieces to mark its 75th anniversary. The newly-formed George Wade & Son Ltd has made 51 eight-inch replicas of Ivy, originally created for the 1951 Festival of Britain. The replicas have been manufactured in Stoke-on-Trent, with all profits from sales going to The National Brain Appeal.
The Original Ivy
Ivy was created in 1951 by sculptor Colin Melbourne in collaboration with Sir George Wade, George Wade's grandfather. The original figure stood more than one metre tall and became one of the most recognisable pieces to emerge from Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry. Initially dividing opinion, it later became recognised as a representation of the spirit of the 1951 Festival of Britain and as a post-war symbol.
Wade Ceramics History
Wade Ceramics, also known as Wade Pottery, dates back to 1810 and was run by the family until it was sold in the late 1980s. The company's last factory in Burslem closed in 2010, and production moved to an art production site in Etruria. Wade Ceramics collapsed in 2022 under the strain of rising energy bills.
After the collapse, the company was purchased in 2023 by RKW, which has continued to make Wade products. George Wade said his family initially thought the name would disappear, and his father Jeremy, who died in 2025, had been "desperate" to rescue it before the firm entered administration.
The Limited Edition Run
The limited run of 51 smaller Ivy editions references the 1951 festival. George Wade said he hopes the project could signal the start of recreating more historical pieces from the company's heritage. "I'm incredibly proud and already it has been an amazing journey," he said. "We've met lots of great people and had so much support. It's been an absolute dream for me and I think my father would've been so proud."
