by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: December 15, 2008

If your spiritual home is an English country garden and the smell of fresh herbs and flowers inspires you to culinary glory, your kitchen needs the homely touch of cottage ware.

Cottage ware is the name given to a class of ceramics that is formed in the shape of, or decorated with, English country cottages. These delightful designs came into their own in the early part of the 20th Century. After WWI, there was a building boom, and the style of decoration reflected the pride and joy young Britons took in the opportunity to have their own new homes after decades of crowded tenement living.

The British ideal has always been the thatched cottage in the country, so cottage ware became instantly popular. Price Brothers Pottery, of Staffordshire, became the leader in the production of these whimsical pieces.

The cottage shape proved the perfect container for a great many household substances. Cottage ware houses became tea pots, milk jugs, sugar basins, mugs and even tall coffee pots. The obligatory thatched roof was usually detachable as a lid, and the ceramic cottages were graced with many paned dormer windows and ivy creeping up the walls.

Price Brothers really pushed the envelope on what could be contained within a ceramic cottage. Soon they were making toast racks, conserve jars, egg cups, and butter and cheese plates, all with that distinctive cottage shape.

No wonder early cottage ware is most associated with the Price Brothers mark. But in the 1960s Price Brothers merged with another well known cottage ware producer, Kensington. The two became Price Kensington and went on to produce famous cottage ware into this century. Sadly, the firm closed in 2003.

Other names associated with the production of cottage ware are Burlington, Westminster, Crown Devon, Beswick, Royal Winton and Wade.

But it isn't only the cottage shape that attracts the avid collector. Cottages have found their way onto plates and china tea services, often surrounded by beautiful English country gardens.

In recent times, other countries have come into the cottage ware industry, including Japan, which began producing delicate cottage ware, often with a more eastern influence in the 50s. These pieces are collectable now, as is the more modern cottage ware coming out of Japan. The main name to look for in Japanese cottage ware is Marumoto.

Cottage ware originating from Holland, Canada and the USA is not considered as collectable, but if your interest is not in creating a valuable collection, there are many charming pieces to be found.

If you want to collect cottage ware seriously, you will need to concentrate on the earlier productions, particularly those made by Price Brothers and Kensington before the merger, as these will be the most valuable. Check carefully for cracks, chips and repairs, as these will lower the value of a piece, and study your maker's marks and current valuations carefully.

But the great thing about cottage ware is that you don't have to approach it seriously at all. You can create a delightful collection by foraging flea markets, country antique stores and charity shops, where you will still find the odd treasure, especially if you don't mind a chip or crack.

When you get your cottage wear home, wash it gently in warm soapy water, dry thoroughly and display it with your other treasures. Cottage Ware looks good in the living area, or in a bedroom (jugs and tea pots can be filled with flowers) or even in the bathroom to hold soaps and toothbrushes.

But it really looks best displayed on an old pine dresser. Collecting cottage ware becomes so addictive that you will need one before long!

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