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This set is a classic white ironstone pitcher and wash basin, a common household staple before the widespread adoption of indoor plumbing. During the Victorian era, these sets were frequently used for daily hygiene, such as washing faces and hands.
The Pitcher: The pitcher (or ewer) is crafted from white ceramic, often referred to as ironstone or porcelain. It features a traditional bulbous body with a curved handle and a wide-mouthed spout. These pieces were designed with simple, elegant lines to be both functional and decorative.
The handle is decorated with a series of small, raised ridges that create a textured, non-slip grip. These ridges are arranged in a rhythmic, repeating pattern that often transitions into a decorative flourish where the handle attaches to the top and bottom of the pitcher's body. Along the length of the handle, you can see vertical lines or grooves. This intricate, moulded detail was a hallmark of Burgess & Leigh's mid-20th-century ironstone, designed to make everyday objects like wash pitchers feel more elegant and easier to hold.
The Basin: The matching basin is a large, deep round bowl with a slightly flared rim. It serves as the base for the pitcher when not in use. These basins are typically made of the same heavy-duty ceramic or stoneware as the pitcher.
Based on its clean, cream-coloured appearance, it may be part of the "Queen's White" or a similar undecorated ironstone line, which emphasizes form over colour.
The stamp on the pitcher and basin set is a Burleigh Ware maker's mark from the renowned British pottery firm Burgess & Leigh, based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. This specific backstampfeaturing a beehive surrounded by leaves with the text "Burleigh Ware" and "Burgess & Leigh Ltd"is a classic hallmark of the pottery's mid-20th-century production. First adopted in the 1860s, the beehive represents "industry and cooperation". The inclusion of "Ltd" indicates the piece was manufactured after 1919, when the company became a limited liability entity. While the "Est 1851" refers to the company's founding, the large beehive with surrounding leaves typically identifies pieces made between the 1930s and 1940s. After 1940, the mark was often simplified to a smaller beehive without the leaf border.
The pitcher and bowl shows "crazing" (fine surface cracks) or minor imperfections consistent with age and use. The pitcher has a star crack on the outer surface and the basin has a hairline from the rim down. Slight discolouration is also visible on the inside of the bowl (please see pictures). Around the rim of the bowl there are three kiln marks (not chips)
Height of pitcher: 29 cm
Diameter of basin rim: 36 cm
