The Wood family was a dynasty of Staffordshire modellers and potters. Among its members were Ralph Wood I (1715–1772), his son Ralph Wood II (1748–1795), and his grandson Ralph Wood III (1774–1801).
Although many figures have mistakenly been attributed to Ralph Wood I, he never had his own factory: he was an employee in a pottery factory for his entire working career and specialised in tea and tableware design. Figures marked ‘Ra Wood’ were instead made by his son, Ralph Wood II (1748-1795), or grandson, Ralph Wood III (1775-1801) at their factory at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, which operated between 1783-1801. Although some models are original designs, many were copies of existing sculptures, often adapted from plaster casts sold by specialist London retailers such as John Cheere.
Although many figures have mistakenly been attributed to Ralph Wood I, he never had his own factory: he was an employee in a pottery factory for his entire working career and specialised in tea and tableware design. Figures marked ‘Ra Wood’ were instead made by his son, Ralph Wood II (1748-1795), or grandson, Ralph Wood III (1775-1801) at their factory at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, which operated between 1783-1801. Although some models are original designs, many were copies of existing sculptures, often adapted from plaster casts sold by specialist London retailers such as John Cheere.
Text source: Miranda Goodby
