English flora and fauna have been used to decorate ceramics for decades. If you grew up in the UK, you’ll no doubt be familiar with at least one flowery pattern in your cupboard at home or when visiting your Nan for a cup of tea.
Celebrating British flowers and all things floral, we go into the brief history of five iconic floral pottery patterns below but first... how many can you name?
Famous Floral Designs
Botanic Garden by Portmeirion
Starting Portmeirion Pottery in 1960, Susan Williams-Ellis created Botanic Garden in 1972. Inspired by nature and the English country garden, the illustrations of flowers, insects and her signature laurel leaf border make this collection instantly recognisable. Many designs have been added over the years, with it still being made and loved today.
The latest Bloom Garden range is designed to layer – giving existing pieces a bolder, more modern feel. Made from earthenware in Stoke-on-Trent, bring the outside in with the Portmeirion Botanic Garden collection.
Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief by Spode
Two British heritage style icons collaborated to make an afternoon tea collection featuring iconic Morris & Co.’s patterns from the archives. Featuring one of William Morris's most popular repeating designs – the Strawberry Thief pattern is inspired by thrushes Morris caught stealing fruit from his kitchen garden in Oxfordshire.
First attempting the print using indigo dye textile printing in 1875, it took some years to perfect before he was happy to share it with the world. Made from earthenware in Stoke-on-Trent, discover the Morris & Co. collection at Spode.
Florentine by Wedgwood
Wedgwood can date the Florentine pattern back to 1874, when it first appeared as finely drawn and coloured sketches in their archives. With the pattern first being applied as a decoration in 1931, Florentine Turquoise was designed by Wedgwood Art Director Victor Skellern launched in 1935 and is the most iconic of all of the many colourways.
Inspired by the Majolica designs of Urbino in Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Featuring intricate details and an ornate border with mystical creatures and fantastical flora woven throughout, the Wedgwood Florentine collection is made from fine bone china in Stoke-on-Trent. Explore the full Florentine collection on their website.
Calico by Burleigh
Inspired by 19th-century indigo fabric, the Burleigh Calico design was added to their pattern book in 1968 and has been in production ever since. Coming in a variety of colours over the years, this shade of rich cobalt blue is timeless and continues to be one of their most popular patterns.
Made of a scrolling blossom design, the latest colour to be added to the collection is Blossom – perfect for summer. Browse the full Calico collection on the Burleigh Pottery website.
Royalty Chintz by Duchess China 1888
A busy all-over floral pattern, one of the biggest names making chintzware in England was Grimwades, trade name Royal Winton – today owned and made by Duchess China 1888. In 1913 King George V and Queen Mary visited the potteries, where The Queen bought a Winton Teaset. In 1928 'Marguerite', the first Royal Winton Chintz pattern was launched.
Coming in many variations and colourways over the years, the Royalty Chintz design is well recognised and still being produced from fine bone china in Stoke-on-Trent today. Explore the full Royal Winton Royalty Chintz collection on the Duchess China website.
Learn more in our latest blogs.