Saturday, January 17, 2015

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.

16 comments:

DJan said...

These are so sweet! I love looking at them and would love to have one in my own kitchen. :-)

Linda Kay said...

Such a unique collectable! Thanks for sharing.

Stella Jones said...

Aren't they just so lovely. What a shame the factory no longer exists.

Country Gal said...

I also have quite a few cottage tea pots I have on display in my kitchen I have been collecting them for years I have one or two like yours here as well ! Just something about them when I see them in the Antique shops gota have them lol ! My Nana got me into collecting them when she brought me one from England it is the Kings Arms pub . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

ann said...

Oh I like. I am going to start looking for it at the thrift shop, though doubtful that I will find any. Yours is beautiful and I am sure comforting, too, as a reminder of your heritage.

Patsy said...

I love the rabbit, she would go so well with the male rabbit I have like her. I wonder if he my be from the same maker.

Lady Jane said...

I have a few tea pots but not one like this. I will have to find one, it is too cute...

Betsy Brock said...

What a fun thing to collect! You can never have too many teapots! ha. I've always thought those thatched roofs were so charming and wished there was one on my house. Why don't we have those over here in the USA? I think they are wonderful!

Susie said...

Jo, I love that collection. I went back to some of your previous posts that I have missed.I loved the stew and cornbread. What a hearty supper that would be. You know I truly love seeing your cats. Blessings to you sweet Jo. xoxo,Susie

Anonymous said...

I collected several of these little cottages in the 1980's and I have them in my kitchen. They give me a real buzz every time I look at them.

Tasha in Warwickshire

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

my wife would love those.

Henny Penny said...

Your home must be gorgeous inside. You collect such beautiful things. Wonder if Poppy would agree to replacing some of the deer heads and turkey tails, arrowheads, and old bottles with beautiful teapots! We need another room added on. :) You are a beautiful person!

Janice Kay Schaub said...

I love them too, and since I changed my living room around I have mine out on display. I don't have many but I love what I do have and will collect more some day........I love the coffee pot.
Janice

Kitty Greene said...

Hi, just joined your blog. I'm in Shropshire, England.
Can I ask you about the second picture down from the top in your right side bar ? it looks very familiar to me, I'm sure I know that place. Is it somewhere you have lived ?

The Blog of Bee said...

These pieces are so pretty.

Unknown said...

I live in the UK right now, there just happens to be a set of this cottageware for sale where I work on a US Air Base.

Price is around 150.00, but it has a few cups, saucers, teapot, butter/cheese plate with a cover, sugar, salt shaker, cream pitcher I think.

Let me know if anyone is truely interested. My Mom also had a set of these that my brother now has.

Regards,

Terry