DESIGN DICTIONARY: Burleigh Pottery
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What is Burleigh pottery?
Burleigh pottery is a type of high quality earthenware in traditional forms made by hand in Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent. Blue and white floral patterns are the most common. Burleigh, however, also comes in other patterns and colors like red and purple floral patterns, hens and even plain white.
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Burleigh is transferware, a type of pottery decorated by tissue transfer printed from copper engravings (a process invented in 1750).
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After the pattern is transferred, the pottery is glazed, creating a thin glass jacket over it. Burleigh is the only company in the world still producing transfer printware. Other makers have replaced this highly skilled process with easier decorating methods.
The name "Burleigh" was first used in the 1930s. It is a combination of the last names of two of Burleigh's earliest owners: William Leigh and Frederick Rathbone Burgess. Prior to the Burleigh trademark, the pottery was sold as Burgess & Leigh. Collectors take note: if a desired piece is marked "Burleigh," you know it was made sometime after 1930.
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Each piece of Burleigh pottery is made entirely in England and passes through the handiwork of 25 people.
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Here's to handcraft!
Photo credits: First photo, pottery in dresser. Man making pottery. Women making pottery by Andrew Montgomery for the November 2015 Homes and Antiques Magazine. Red Burleigh pottery. Burleigh pottery on table. Last photo. Original photo for slider image (edited by me) from here.