Friday, April 2, 2010

Of Cottages And Tea


Some of my most prized possessions are gifts my parents have bought for me throughout the years.
They always put a lot of thought into choosing them, something usually that would remind me of England, and would be a worthy antique to pass along to my daughter.

On one occasion we were enjoying a day out at Beeston Castle ; http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/beeston_castle.htm where they often hold flea-markets and antiques sales.
One of the stalls sold Cottage Ware, and I immediately fell in love with the look of the quaint little country gardens and shapes of cottage teapots with their thatched roofs.

My parents surprised me with the tall coffee/water pot, milk and sugar, and a butter or cheese dish, I have since added the teapot to the collection.

It is mostly displayed in the kitchens of English homes, to inspire culinary glory, with the herbal gardens and flowers surrounding the thatched cottages.

If you are not familiar with Cottage Ware it is the name given to a class of ceramics formed in the shape of, or decorated with English country cottages.
These delightful designs came into their own in the early part of the twentieth century, after WWII there was a building boom, and the style and decoration reflected the pride and joy of young Britons buying their first homes after tenement living.
Price Brothers Pottery of Staffordshire were the most popular in production of the whimsical pieces, but later merged with Kensington, another well-known cottage ware producer.
Sadly the manufacturer closed it's doors in 2003.

26 comments:

George said...

What a wonderful, thoughtful gift. I can see why a set such as this serves as a reminder of England.

Latane Barton said...

I love that teapot!! How thoughtful of your parents to buy those pieces for you. I bet you have it prominently displayed in your kitchen. I know I would.

Patsy said...

I think it is so you. And lovely!
Patsy

Susan Freeman said...

I am completely enchanted by Cottage Ware. This is a lovely post! Bentley and I wish you and your family a blessed Easter!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

DeniseinVA said...

Such a lovely collection Jo. I have some English cottages, only a few pieces. I will have to share them sometime.

L. D. said...

They are so beautiful. I like the thatched look and your teapots are wonderful.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh I can only imagine how special that Cottage Ware collection is to you. I LOVE them... The unique designs are so pretty. And to think that your parents gave them to you.. That makes the collection even more special. WOW!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Teri said...

Those are so cute! Thanks for introducing them to me.

The Norwegian said...

I'm a hopeless Anglophile and love to LEARN about anything that is a part of a British "world". Thank you so much for sharing about the
Cottage Ware. Can't wait to learn more.

donna baker said...

Jo, I love Cottage Ware and have bought and sold many pieces over the years. Of course, I did keep a few small pieces for myself.

donna baker said...

Jo, I love Cottage Ware and have bought and sold many pieces over the years. Of course, I did keep a few small pieces for myself.

GardenOfDaisies said...

I love cottageware! I don't own any yet, but will one of these days. I have been looking at it online. It just gives me such a cozy feeling. I do think sometimes that I am living in the wrong country.

Anonymous said...

What delightful gifts, they are so gorgeously English. I adore the tea pot.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

I haven't thought of Cottage Ware in forever. I love the intricate details and the whimsy of each piece. Your daughter is going to be one lucky girl..
hugs ~lynne~

DJan said...

Yes, to echo all the other comments here, they are truly adorable, and a wonderful thing to own. I have never seen one of these before, so thank you for educating me!

rjerdee said...

I see that when you put the kettle on, you have lovely teapots to pour the tea! Cozy...like your cottage.

MadSnapper said...

although I don't drink tea, i have a soft spot for teapots. I like the way they look, and this one is precious. all the photos on your side bar come under the feeling of Cozy!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Jo? I am so happy to have found you blog through 'from my front porch'. I absolutely LOVE your Blog. My Mother and her family are from Windlesham Surrey and my Father's Mother was from Newcastle Upon Tyne. I have a sister who lives in Hornchurch Essex...so my roots are very British. I hope to come back and spend some time exploring your blog...I know it will feel like 'home'. Take care. Maura

Richard said...

I didn't know they'd closed! You've got to love a bit of Staffordshire pottery! Lovely stuff!

Michael said...

Oh, I love these. Yes, need to get one to inspire some culinary glory of my own in fact. :)


Happy easter.

Barbara Anne said...

What enchanting pottery pieces and how wonderful that these pieces are part of a lovely story and are so special because of that. Even if they were without a story, they'd be charming.

I have several David Winter cottages and never tire of imagining my cottages into a village of tiny inhabitants! I can never choose just one to live in myself.

jerilanders said...

Oh Dear, Just what I need....something else to collect! In all my years of antique-ing, however, I don't think I have ever seen these, they are quite charming. Jeri

Stella Jones said...

Very nice! I've seen these lots of times but not for a while and it was nice to see them again. I like cottagey things too. Does the teapot pour well?
Blessings, Star

* said...

This cottage ware is beautiful. What a lovely set.

The Tablescaper said...

OMG! I am new to your blog but soooooo loving it.

I have a few peices of cottage ware, but most are current and not vintage. I never realized there was a name for it. I just figured I was drawn to it as I love houses and love dishes!

Your story of your explorations with your parents reminds me of my trip to London and visit to Portobello Road. How I wish I could have brought more home. It was amazing.

I know this is a blog I will look forward to reading.

- The Tablescaper

Rhondi said...

I used to have that cottageware tea set. Seeing it brings back memories of many happy cups of tea.
Thanks for the memory.
Rhondi