Living With Antique and Timeworn Ceramics

Ceramics and their different origins. For centuries we have used ceramics, made for a multitude of uses from decorative purposes, tableware, storage usage or for dispensing.

By country, England is the home of the ceramic pudding basin. Mainly made in plain white ceramic, some are also striped with rarer versions having a coloured body. When stacked high, these otherwise unassuming and practical items add interest to a kitchen interior. 

The production of British ceramics was mainly found in the counties of Staffordshire however, one of the earliest brands ‘Maling’ was established in Sunderland, in the north east of England. 

French ceramics are highly regarded for their unique attributes and varying compositions. Being constructed of ironstone, faience [a tin-glazed earthenware], earthenware or stoneware. Many of these vessels were once used for holding confitures, pates and other preserved specialities made in the fairer months and tucked away in the pantry for consumption in the winter months.

Rarer still, antique Swedish ceramic-ware is of a very high quality and has a beauty of its own often featuring cobalt blue. The most famous Swedish ceramic factory is Rorstrand, founded in the castle of Rorstrand in Stockholm in 1726, making it the second oldest ceramic factory in Europe.