Burleigh Calico Cow Creamer
Ceramic decorative art and functional tableware • Burleigh Pottery (Burgess & Leigh), Staffordshire, England
Style & Movement
Victorian Revival / English Country House style
Medium & Technique
Glazed earthenware/ironstone with underglaze cobalt blue transferware printing
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (modern production)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 7 inches in length and 4 inches in height; figural 3D format.
Subject Description
A figural milk or cream pitcher in the shape of a cow. The body is decorated with the 'Calico' pattern, featuring a dense white prunus blossom motif against a deep cobalt blue background, inspired by Victorian textile prints.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible fine crazing of the glaze on the underside base.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $60 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $45 USD
Provenance History
Modern commercial production; backstamp indicates 'Calico Burleigh Staffordshire England'. Primary market via retail giftware or department stores.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the survival of traditional Staffordshire transferware techniques. Burleigh is the last pottery in the world to use the labor-intensive tissue-transfer printing process from hand-engraved copper plates. The Calico pattern, launched in the 1960s, is their most iconic design.
Notable Features
Features a backstamp consistent with late 20th-century branding; the cow creamer form is a classic 'whimsy' item in English pottery dating back to the 18th century.
Condition Issues
Notable all-over crazing on the unglazed/lightly glazed footbed; potential for minor staining if used with liquids over time.
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only with mild detergent; avoid microwave or dishwasher use to prevent further crazing or thermal shock. Display away from direct high heat.