Priceless: How Jenny’s stunning Wedgwood collection grew

Remarkably, the resilience of the human spirit can withstand the greatest of blows and as fate would have it, Jenny Thomson and her collection of fine china are unbreakable.

The Seasons resident inherited hundreds of stunning Wedgwood crockery pieces after her Aunt worked at the factory in England for almost five decades.

Starting out on the shop floor in 1939, Jenny’s Aunt was employed as an enameller, before being promoted to painting the gold edging on plates and cups – a delicate task which required a fine brush and very steady hand.

Prior to the war, the gold was deemed so valuable that the pieceworkers would wipe their brushes on cloths so they could be reprocessed and the remnants could be reused.

BEHIND WEDGWOOD: Seasons resident Jenny with her photo albums containing images from the historic Wedgwood factory in England. The passionate pottery collector says each piece tells a story of family, craftsmanship and cherished memories. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

When Jenny married her husband Bob, who also lives at Seasons, the family gifted them a stunning 12-person Wedgwood dinner set etched in 22-karat gold.

“It was so beautiful and I really treasured it,” Jenny said.

“My favourite part was turning the pottery pieces over and finding my Aunt’s mark on the bottom.

“My Mother loved her tea as the British always do… she refused to drink from a tea set unless it was made of fine bone china and likened it to drinking champagne out of a beer mug.”

FAMILY LEGACY: Endlessly proud of the contributions her Aunt made at the iconic Wedgwood factory, Jenny inherited this beautiful plaque to commemorate her Aunt’s long service. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

Describing her Aunt as conscientious, hard working and dedicated, Jenny said Wedgwood highly valued her Aunt’s work, gifting her a clock for her retirement and offering her the rare honour of permanent residency in the Wedgwood family’s altruist estate cottages.

The luxury china brand was founded by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759 and was quickly established as one of the most successful homeware brands in the United Kingdom.

Producing pottery using unique techniques, Wedgwood became the first in history to produce pottery that would come out of the kiln in colours from baby blues and terracotta pinks to 30 different shades of green.

“(Wedgwood) wanted to create something beautiful that people wanted to display and to this day, people treasure their pieces,” Jenny said.

“Everything created is checked over and if they find a mistake – and they would be mistakes you or I would never spot – the piece does not leave the factory floor and the process starts over.”

For Jenny, Wedgwood is more than a celebrated brand as each piece represents her family history, cherished memories and a deep connection to her Aunt’s remarkable legacy.

It is also a reminder of resilience, after a devastating event destroyed almost everything she held dear.

‘Eternally grateful’: Heartbreaking incident strengthens Jenny’s spirit

When Jenny and her husband Bob relocated to South Africa, they were living at a national park on the northern border, which is now known as Zambia.

Life quickly changed for the couple, who would take in injured animals and raise baby elephants and dwarf mongoose by hand, when Bob, who was working as a Warden, stopped a group from poaching animals in the park.

Within 48 hours of fleeing their station home and just days before Christmas in 1976, the group broke in, stole several items and set Jenny and Bob’s house on fire.

In the early hours of the following morning, Bob stopped by the station and discovered their entire home had been destroyed and was still smoldering.

TRAGIC AFTERMATH: The devastating remains of Jenny and Bob’s home after it was destroyed by fire in 1976. Family photographs, treasured possessions and much of Jenny’s beloved Wedgwood collection were sadly lost in the blaze. Picture: Supplied

Among the ashes were their most treasured possessions – family photographs, Jenny’s collection of pottery and fine china, and the pair’s gifted dinner set.

“It was heartbreaking and something we never truly recovered from,” Jenny said.

“Everything was destroyed, except for these two green Wedgwood plates that were hung on the wall.

“Those two plates still have the marks from that tragic day, but they somehow survived.”

AGAINST ALL ODDS: The two Wedgwood plates which emerged from the ashes of a fire that destroyed Jenny (pictured) and Bob’s home in 1976, and remain treasured family heirlooms today. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

Back in England, Jenny’s family discovered the news before the couple could even make contact, as the heartbreaking imagery of devastation and destruction flashed across the BBC Channel.

The pair stayed in Africa for almost a decade, before moving to Australia where they have called home for the past 40 years.

The two surviving, jasperware Wedgwood plates are now proudly displayed in Jenny and Bob’s Seasons apartment.

TIMELESS TREASURES: Jenny’s surviving Wedgwood pieces and memorabilia are proudly displayed in the couple’s Seasons apartment. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

“We kept a stiff upper lip and were determined to not let (the attack) get the better of us,” Jenny said.

“Every morning since, we wake up and are just eternally grateful to be alive.”