Burleigh Ware is one of those names that rewards the collector who looks a little deeper than the most obvious British pottery brands. Produced by Burgess and Leigh of Burslem, Staffordshire, Burleigh Ware spans a remarkable range of styles, from the classic blue and white Willow pattern that has been in continuous production since the nineteenth century to the bold mid-century geometric designs that are now among the most sought-after pieces in the range. If you have spotted a cream and black jug with a starburst pattern at a South African antique market and wondered what it was, there is a good chance it was Burleigh.
This guide covers the history of the Burgess and Leigh factory, the main collecting categories within the Burleigh Ware range, how to date pieces using marks, and what to look for when assessing pieces in the Collectibles by Deon collection.
A Brief History of Burgess and Leigh
The Burgess and Leigh factory was established in Burslem, Staffordshire, in 1862, when William Burgess and Frederick Leigh formed a partnership to produce earthenware at the Hill Pottery. The factory moved to the Middleport Pottery in 1889, where it has remained in operation ever since, making it one of the few surviving Victorian-era Staffordshire potteries still producing on its original site.
The Middleport Pottery is a Grade II listed building and one of the best-preserved Victorian pottery factories in Britain. It was the subject of a significant restoration project in the 2010s and is now open to visitors, providing a rare opportunity to see a working Victorian pottery in its original setting.
Burgess and Leigh traded under the "Burleigh" name from the early twentieth century, and the Burleigh Ware mark became the primary brand identity for the factory's output. The factory remains in production today, making it one of the longest-continuously-operating potteries in Staffordshire.
The Willow Pattern: Burleigh's Most Enduring Design
Burleigh's version of the Blue Willow pattern is among the most respected in the Staffordshire tradition, known for the quality of its engraving and the consistency of its blue print. The Willow pattern has been in continuous production at the Middleport Pottery since the nineteenth century and remains in production today.
The Burleigh Ware Willow Blue and White Rectangular Handled Serving Tray in the collection is an example of the Burleigh Willow pattern on an unusual and practical form. Serving trays in the Willow pattern are less commonly encountered than plates and cups, making them a more interesting find for collectors who already have the standard tableware forms. Read our guide to transferware and Blue Willow for more context on the pattern and its history.
Mid-Century Burleigh: The Starburst and Geometric Designs
The mid-century period, roughly the 1950s and 1960s, produced some of Burleigh's most distinctive and now actively collected designs. The Starburst pattern, featuring a bold geometric starburst motif in cream and black or cream and other colours, is the most sought-after of these mid-century designs and has attracted significant collector interest in recent years, both in Britain and internationally.
The Collectibles by Deon collection includes several Burleigh Starburst pieces: the Vintage Burleigh Ware Starburst Cream and Black Ceramic Ewer, the Vintage Burleigh Ware Starburst Cream and Black Ceramic Jug, and the Vintage Burleigh Ware Cream and Black Ceramic Pitcher with Atomic Starburst Design. The cream and red colourway is also represented in the Vintage Burleigh Ware Cream and Red Ceramic Jug.
The Starburst design reflects the broader mid-century modern aesthetic that characterised British design in the post-war period, drawing on the atomic age imagery and geometric abstraction that were fashionable across design disciplines from furniture to textiles. Burleigh's version is particularly well executed, with a bold, graphic quality that works well in contemporary interiors as well as period settings.
Dating Burleigh Ware Using Marks
Burleigh Ware marks changed through the factory's history, and the mark on a piece provides useful dating information:
- "Burgess and Leigh" in the mark: the full factory name appears in various forms in the backstamp across the factory's history.
- "Burleigh" or "Burleigh Ware": the Burleigh brand name became the primary mark from the early twentieth century onward.
- "England" in the mark: indicates production after 1891 for export to the United States.
- "Made in England": indicates production after approximately 1921.
- "Staffordshire England": a regional designation used on some pieces, indicating Staffordshire production.
For mid-century Starburst pieces, the mark typically reads "Burleigh Ware, Burgess and Leigh, England" or a variation thereof, consistent with mid-twentieth century production. Read our guide to dating antique ceramics for broader context on mark dating.
What to Look For When Collecting Burleigh Ware
- Print quality on Willow pattern pieces: Burleigh's Willow pattern is known for the quality of its engraving. Look for crisp, well-defined print with good detail in the landscape elements. Blurred or poorly registered prints indicate lower-quality production or a worn printing plate.
- Condition of mid-century pieces: the Starburst and other mid-century geometric designs were produced on earthenware bodies and are vulnerable to chipping on rims and spouts. Examine jugs and ewers carefully at the spout and handle join, which are the most vulnerable points.
- Colour consistency on geometric pieces: the cream and black or cream and colour contrast of the Starburst design should be clean and consistent. Fading, staining, or uneven colour application reduces the visual impact of the design.
- Form variety: Burleigh produced the Starburst design across a range of forms including jugs, ewers, pitchers, and serving pieces. Unusual or larger forms are generally more sought after than standard small jugs.
- Mark verification: always check the base mark to confirm Burgess and Leigh production. Similar mid-century geometric designs were produced by other Staffordshire manufacturers, and the mark is the most reliable way to confirm Burleigh attribution.
Burleigh Ware in South Africa
Burleigh Ware reached South Africa through British import channels, with both the Willow pattern tableware and the mid-century decorative pieces appearing in South African households from the early to mid-twentieth century. The Starburst pieces in particular turn up at South African estate sales and antique markets with some regularity, often unidentified by sellers who are not familiar with the Burleigh name.
This creates genuine opportunity for collectors who know what to look for. A Burleigh Starburst jug or ewer in good condition, correctly identified and priced, represents good value in the current South African market. Browse the Ceramics collection and the Blue Willow collection at Collectibles by Deon for available Burleigh pieces. For questions about specific pieces, visit our contact page or learn more about the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Burleigh Ware?
Burleigh Ware is the brand name for pottery produced by Burgess and Leigh of Burslem, Staffordshire, established in 1862. The factory is best known for its Blue Willow pattern transferware and its mid-century geometric designs, particularly the Starburst pattern. The Middleport Pottery, where Burleigh Ware has been produced since 1889, is one of the best-preserved Victorian pottery factories in Britain and remains in production today.
Is Burleigh Ware still being made?
Yes. Burgess and Leigh continues to produce pottery at the Middleport Pottery in Burslem, Staffordshire, making it one of the longest-continuously-operating potteries in the Staffordshire Potteries. The Blue Willow pattern remains in production.
What is the Burleigh Starburst pattern?
The Starburst pattern is a mid-century geometric design produced by Burgess and Leigh in the 1950s and 1960s, featuring a bold starburst motif in cream and black or cream and other colours. It reflects the atomic age aesthetic of the post-war period and is now one of the most actively collected Burleigh designs, sought after by collectors of mid-century British ceramics and by interior designers working with contemporary spaces.
How do I identify Burleigh Ware?
Check the base mark for the Burleigh or Burgess and Leigh name. The mark typically reads "Burleigh Ware, Burgess and Leigh, England" or a variation thereof. The Willow pattern pieces also carry the pattern name in the mark. For mid-century geometric pieces, the mark is the most reliable way to confirm Burleigh attribution, as similar designs were produced by other Staffordshire manufacturers.
What is the Middleport Pottery?
The Middleport Pottery is the factory in Burslem, Staffordshire, where Burgess and Leigh has produced Burleigh Ware since 1889. It is a Grade II listed building and one of the best-preserved Victorian pottery factories in Britain. It was the subject of a significant restoration project in the 2010s and is open to visitors.
A rewarding category for collectors of Blue Willow transferware, mid-century British ceramics, or blue and white pottery with a documented factory history. Browse the Ceramics collection and the Blue Willow collection to explore available pieces, or contact us to ask about specific patterns or forms.