The Glam Pad loves things with history and tradition, and Burleigh pottery, hand made in England since 1851, is a timeless classic with a rich history. Burleigh pottery is produced using the original 19th century machinery, and it has been hand decorated in the same way for 200 years using tissue transfer printing, where the designs are transferred from a hand-engraved copper roller onto tissue paper and then onto the pottery. Burleigh is the last pottery in the world to use this traditional technique.
In 2010, Middleport Pottery (where Burleigh is produced) was on the brink of closure. The buildings were in such a state of disrepair the business appeared destined to close. But the Pottery was considered a national treasure and much loved by the local community, so in June 2011 The Prince’s Foundation and the United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust stepped in to save Middleport Pottery. Following a three-year, £9 million regeneration, the restored Middleport Pottery reopened to the public in July 2014 and has since become a major visitor destination.
The Burleigh pottery collection features a range of patterns including Asiatic Pheasants (my favorite) – a much-loved oriental styled design with a history dating back to 1862; Blue Arden – a classic 19th Century pattern; Regal Peacock – first produced in 1913 in honor of King George V; Felicity – a delicate flower design from the 1930s; and Calico which was introduced in the 1960s. Burleigh is surprisingly inexpensive, but it is difficult to find in the U.S. Fortunately, you can find an extensive inventory through Sasha Nicholas, located in St. Louis, Missouri.
The clay for Burleigh pottery is produced from raw ingredients using original 19th century machinery. It is then given its shape by using either the casting or pressing method. Next, the dried clay is carefully sponged and fettled to smooth over the surface. (image via Burleigh)
Burleigh pottery has been hand decorated in the same way for 200 years, using the skilled technique of tissue transfer printing. It is the last pottery in the world to use this traditional technique. (image via Burleigh)
After firing to ‘biscuit’, the intricate decorating process begins. Tissue paper is first printed from a hand-engraved copper roller and is cut out by a transferrer. The tissue is applied to the biscuitware with a brush and soft soap to transfer the pattern. In order to harden and ensure the quality of Burleighware, the piece is then fired. Finally, the design is dipped in glaze and fired for a third time, setting the pattern underneath the glaze. (image via Burleigh)
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via The English Home
Regal Peacock – image via Mykel Interior Design
Plum Asiatic Pheasants – image via macha-mayu
Calico, Felicity, and Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via True Blue Home
Pink Asiatic Pheasants – image via somarico
Pink Asiatic Pheasants – image via Landromantikk.no
Regal Peacock – image via Art & Fun
Blue Asiatic Pheasants cow creamer
Blue Calico – image via Victoria
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via Alice Naylor-Leyland
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via Alice Naylor-Leyland
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via @jun_chama_
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via @o929leo
Blue Asiatic Pheasants – image via Alice Naylor-Leyland
Pink, Plum, and Blue Asiatic Pheasants with Dove Grey Calico – image via Victoria
A mix of Burleigh patterns
Burleigh available at Sasha Nicholas
Burleigh pottery is available in a wide variety of tableware including teapots, cups and saucers, pasta bowls, plates, cake stands, serving dishes, and the iconic cow creamer, which is one of their most popular pieces. To purchase within the United States, please visit Sasha Nicholas. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, a bit of Burleigh makes a lovely gift!
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Cynthia Lambert says
April 24, 2019 at 8:47 amOoh, you made me hungry with all of those delicious tea cakes!
Love Burleigh things and have a couple of the pale blue Asiatic Pheasants plates. I hadn’t realized how they were made, though, so it’s good to know that the old ways are still followed in these lovely pieces.
Cindy Wilson says
April 24, 2019 at 10:36 amYour posts always make me happy. Such lovely images! I love the tradition each photograph represents. Thank you!
Andrea says
April 24, 2019 at 11:29 amThank you so much for the kind words, Cindy! 🙂
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
Suzanne R Brown says
April 24, 2019 at 1:35 pmI’ve always loved transferware, and Burleigh makes some that is very lovely. When we were living in Maine from the mid-90’s til mid 2000’s, I found an antique shop in Bath that had a wonderful selection of antique transferware. At one time there was also a shop in Carlisle PA that had a huge selection, including some really lovely pieces in cranberry and purple, as well as brown, and of course, lots of blue. I bought a few pieces which now grace my DD’s house. It looked better in my New England home than my house in KY but works quite wells in the bookcases in DD”s KY home. Burleigh makes the most wonderful, squatty shapes! I adore their teapots!
Sigrid Olsen says
April 24, 2019 at 11:32 pmThis is a lovely post….about some fabulous patterns. I hate to be a snob, but when I see someone who has any transferware dishes, I think, CLASS. I have a hodgepodge collection of English transferware that all fits together, somehow. I hate to say it, but I still break stuff a fair bit—between dogs, my bumping, and cooking and clattering===I would be loathe to break any of these!
April says
April 29, 2019 at 9:57 amAfter reading your post last week ( I love old dishes) I happened to be at a church rummage sale this weekend. It was the last day and everything was 50% off. I spotted a large platter with the light blue pattern in your post and I thought “Jackpot!” I guess nobody wanted it cause it was stained and had a pretty large crack. I loved that about it and imagined all the holiday turkeys and Sunday hams served on that platter with decades of families gathered around it. It was 1 dollar so I paid 50 cents. It hangs on the wall in my little cottage kitchen. Yay!
Andrea says
April 29, 2019 at 10:26 amDear April,
Oh, I love this story! I am so happy you found it and that it went to a good home. Thank you so much for sharing!
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad