Iconic British China Brands To Lay The Table With
By
3 weeks ago
We're spilling the tea – these are the British names to know
The greatest words ever spoken in the English language? Pop the kettle on. As a nation of devoted tea drinkers, it’s safe to say we’re just as discerning of our tea cups as we are our tea leaves. So without further ado, let us whisk you through some of the homegrown ceramicists you’ll see in every Brit’s kitchen cupboard. These are the best British china brands to know now.
A Guide To The Very Best British China Brands
Wedgwood
Wedgwood
One of the most historically acclaimed British china brands, Wedgwood was founded all the way back in 1759 when Josiah Wedgwood I started out as an independent potter in Burslem, England. His beautiful ceramics soon caught the attention of the upper classes – as well as Queen Charlotte, who became the first royal to order a tea set from Wedwood. (She reportedly went with a set of cream coloured earthenware.) It apparently filled her with so much joy that Josiah Wedgwood was granted permission to style himself ‘Potter to Her Majesty’ and call his cutting edge creamware the ‘Queen’s Ware’.
Since then, many a Wedgwood tea set and the like have graced regal tables across the world – including the Vatican, the Kremlin and the White House. It also holds a Royal Warrant, a mark of recognition of those who have supplied goods or services to the Royal Households for at least five years, from His Majesty King Charles III.
Cornishware
Cornishware
Another historic ceramicist to have on your radar is Cornishware, which was established over 100 years in 1923 by T.G. Green & Co. Even if you don’t know it’s name, you’ll know its look: the iconic blue and white stripes were originally inspired by the blue skies and white-crested waves of Cornwall (where the brand got it’s name). Cornishware’s 20th century pieces are now considered collectable items – but it continues to produce plates, teapots and mugs today in the West Country, using those same iconic stripes.
Emma Bridgewater
Emma Bridgewater
This British china brand comes with a lovely story. Back in 1984, Emma Bridgewater was looking for a birthday present for her mother. Unable to find a cup and saucer she like, the soon-to-be ceramicist set about making her own. The rest, they say, is history. The name has now become one of the largest pottery manufacturers in the country, with Bridgewater’s quintessentially British designs being a staple of cottages and country homes all over the UK. Featuring motifs that capture Britain’s flora and fauna (and of course, plenty of dogs), Emma Bridgewater is a timeless classic.
Burleigh
Burleigh
Much of Burleigh’s pottery techniques have remained the same since its founding in 1851. Continuing to work in the UK pottery capital of Stoke-on-Trent, you’ll find Burleigh pottery still uses copper rollers that have been intricately made by hand, while floral patterns are still printed onto tissue paper before being applied to clay. The brand’s signature aesthetic is dainty floral pieces, often in blue, that are a timeless crockery piece for the home.
dbCeramic
This artisanal, London-based brand is one of the newer names to enter the industry, having set up shop in 2022. Founded by former fashion editor Deborah Brett, who spent over 20 years at publications like The Times and Elle, dbCeramic is best known for its ‘bubble’ glazed porcelain – with designs created in London, before being cast and finished in collaboration with a family-run factory in Stoke-on-Trent.
Denby
Denby
Known for its durable, handcrafted stoneware and tableware, Denby has been stocking our kitchens since 1809. The brand, founded in Derbyshire, is one of the world’s leading studio potteries, using locally sourced clay and traditional techniques to create its coveted wares. (And with everything oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer-safe, you’re onto a winner when it comes to everyday use.)
