Etruria Hall, Grade II listed Neoclassical building in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Etruria Hall is a neoclassical building in Stoke-on-Trent, England, made up of a three-story central block flanked by two-story pavilions on each side. A classical pediment crowns the main facade, and the interior rooms were carefully laid out to suit the needs of a wealthy private residence.
The building was put up between 1768 and 1771 by architect Joseph Pickford as the home of potter Josiah Wedgwood. In the 1840s, financial difficulties led to the property being sold and it has not been used as a private home since.
The interior was decorated by sculptor John Flaxman, who may have worked alongside the poet William Blake on some of the designs. Guests staying or visiting the hotel today can still see elements of this original decoration.
The building now forms part of a hotel that hosts conferences and events. Access to some areas depends on what is happening in the hotel on any given day, so it is worth checking in advance before planning a visit.
The cellars beneath the building were used by Josiah Wedgwood as workshops to develop new clay bodies and test different glazes. Having these workrooms directly under his home shows how closely his private life and his craft were bound together.
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