Thursday, January 21, 2010

Collecting Portuguese Majolica



Above is my very first piece of Bordallo Pinheiro Majolica. This chicken is an example of the pottery made by the 120 year old factory in Portugal.

I have been collecting vintage majolica for years. (More on that later!) So, I found that the pottery from Portugal mixes nicely with the older, vintage European majolica in my collection.

Same chicken, different color! I've even seen this chicken converted to a gorgeous lamp.

The little chicken above is one I found on Ebay.

A cute chicken tureen.

Another soup tureen with basket detail on the base.

This lovely covered dish is adorned with acorns. I love this piece!

The same piece in green with matching platter.

I'm fairly certain this jardiniere is made in Portugal, but there is no stamp on the bottom.

A perfect little pitcher for holding leftover amaryllis flowers.

Most of us have seen this plate. The green cabbage leaf charger which can be found at discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Sur la Table also has carried this.
I have too many to tell of these charger plates! They come in handy as buffet plates. Most of my friends have these also, and we have been known to combine them for large parties.

As if the green plates weren't enough, I had to have them in red too! Perfect for Christmas.

Matching red cake stand to go with.


Purple? Of course! Perfect for Easter!

I also have way too many of these salad plates. They seem to go with everything, as I love to mix and match dishes when creating table settings.

Another fun salad plate in the form of a grape leaf with red and yellow edging.

A lovely salad plate with basket weave detailing.

I only have one of these plates. I believe it is a reproduction of a classic lily pattern made in Germany at the turn of the century by Villeroy & Boch.

A drawer full of platters, bowls and serving pieces. To be honest, I collect these pieces because they are not only colorful, but very reasonable. All of the above were purchased at TJ Maxx or Marshalls at one time or another! For some reason, they just make my heart skip a beat!

All of the pieces shown above come with this stamp representing the factory where they are currently being made today in the town of Caldas da Rainha

This is an older bowl found at an estate sale. The stamp on the back is engraved.


This little ceramic deer is a work of art. He is extremely delicate; almost like a Lladro with the paper thin flowers on the base. I found him on Ebay from a dealer in Portugal.

Can you see the stamp on the back? It has the typical Bordallo Pinheiro stamp engraved, but also has the words: "Arte Bardalo Caldas"

Isn't he just beautiful!

And finally, I couldn't help create a little vignette of candle holders and Narcissus.

I think Caldas da Rainha would be a wonderful city to visit. Not only is it known for the famous factory and museum of Bordallo Pinheiro, but actually, Caldas da Rainha is better known for its sulfuric waters, from which it got its name, which means the Queen's hot springs. Think of it as a spa town!
For information about Caldas da Rainha, click here.


The factory of Faiancas Aristicas Bordallo Pinheiro has a beautiful website. For more information, click here.

I'm joining Suzanne at Privet and Holly for Mrs. Magpie's Collector's Edition.


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34 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great collection!!!!

Would also LOVE your support on the ELLE DECOR window I did for the Big Window Challenge this year with Apartment Therapy. Check it out at http://www.bigwindowchallenge com. As we all know, AT doesn’t make it easy, but you can vote TWICE a day, once online and the other by texting “1” to 89800.

Your support means the world to me!!

Xo
Eddie

Prior said...

I have the green candle holder, just picked it up one day at Goodwill, I new it was special! Love the chickens and platter on a stand. Lezlee

Stacey said...

Now you are a girl after my heart! I have some of the newer pieces also. Love the old ones but they are out of my budget.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, all of these pieces are soo pretty, but I'm loving that deer. This style goes so well with your decor style. And oh, you look so organized with your drawer full of platters! Is it still raining there? laurie

Kelee Katillac said...

i! Love the cabbage plates. I have collected Majorcan majolica.....

Beautiful collection.....

love, kelee from S&TF!

Debbiedoos said...

I collect roosters myself, however right now they are all in my laundry room displayed for now, I like to switch it up! Your colors and plates are pretty too:)

Lenore said...

Oh my goodness.....what a gorgeous collection of Majolica....I'm in love with the chickens and the cabbage plates....they are all so beautiful and colorful.

Unknown said...

Hi Neighbor! Yes, I'm in San Mateo as well; up in the Highland Hills near 280.

Love your majolica! Those tureens are killer! I'm crazy over the candlestick! Seldom see those.

I had the acron tureen...but it broke along with several other pieces. I have a few pieces left, lots of the pink Bordallo and a few odds and ends of the green.

Nothing like your fabulous collection!

I'm hoping the rain lets up soon. I'm itching to get going on a few key projects! Hope your basement holds out! *crossing fingers for you*

Cheers!
Tina

The Tablescaper said...

That is a serious collection. I have a growing collection of the green cabbage and green lily leaf. I have a few of the purple, but boy are they hard to find!

- The Tablescaper

Kathleen said...

As my friend above said...what a collection! I love them too, but I don't have that many..
Thank you for sharing them with us!

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Wow, what a wonderful collection of gorgous dishes!!

desde my ventana said...

I love the Portuguese ceramics, I have some pieces. The collection that you show is wonderful, luck to be able to enjoy it,
Dmv

Gee said...

First of all, thank you for stopping by. My what a gorgeous collection and thanks for sharing.

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful ceramics!!! I especially like the black and white chicken tureen.

My show n tell is nothing but January Clearance items that I found if you'd like to view them....

HERE

Would really enjoy your company today if you have time to stop by.

xinex said...

I love seeing your majolica collection, Delores. I have never seen so many all in one place and I am glad you showed us this lovely collection. The details are truly amazing!...Christine

Shirley said...

What a great collection of Majolica! I love the covered dishes with the acorns. (And of course the roosters!)

Victoria said...

I love it all. I have a couple of the salad plates with the brown borders. But your collection is amazing. I am offically envious.

Hootin Anni said...

PS....Hey?---thanks for the heads up on Mort Zuckerman's "Deflation of Mr. Obama". That was very interesting and so agreeable in my own terms.

Excellent. And, I appreciate your thinking of me to pass the info forward.

A Runner's Mind said...

Love your "vignette" today....beautiful to look at and you educated us on a country that I haven't been to....next stop, Portugal! Til then, will have to hit Target, Marshall's and TJ Maxx!

Anonymous said...

Hi From Eugene, Oregon, I love your website! Such great taste! I'm glad Dee gave me the web address!

--Claudia (friend of Dee)

Julie said...

What a unique and beautiful collection of colorful pieces. I love the lily piece. You have a treasure there in your home. And it also gives you joy (makes your heart skip a beat!)
That's the fun, isn't it???
Thanks for sharing the beauty Enjoyed scrolling all the way down.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I have always like majolica. You have a beautiful collection!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Your collection is the most stunning....love the wonderful chickens and love the beautiful covered dishes, they are just so pretty I bet the chickens would look so pretty in the center of a table for a beautiful country breakfast, love them....

Anonymous said...

I never saw the purple...I love it. You've been awfully busy with your camera. Nice pics...Di

Haverford House said...

I L.O.V.E. your collection! I also cannot resist the platters and bowls when I see them at TJ & Homegoods - I love the colors! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for the nice comment you left at my *place* too! ~Marcy

Denise Marie said...

wow, you have a gorgeous collection. The pieces are so special. Who knows why these things get to our hearts. lol

savvycityfarmer said...

oh me oh my ... we are joined at the hip, I believe ... if I had to pick a favorite .... well, I guess it would be impossible

Linda Q said...

Oooo what a fun and wonderful collection!
I have the Majolica bug too, especially when it comes to the newer pieces I am finding. I also have the green cabbage plates, bowls etc. and keep adding,as I find them, pieces to that set.
But I didn't know they made it in different colors, love the red cabbage, that is me, red!
And love your candlesticks and some of your other unique pieces.
Fun think to collect and look for!
Enjoyed your show and tell!
Linda

Helena said...

I'm so glad to see the portuguese porcelain! I live some miles away from Caldas da Rainha where we have the chance to see the beautiful work of Bordalo Pinheiro in his museum. Not far from there, there is a typical town I adore: Óbidos.

Bonnie said...

Delores, I liked learning how to distinguish the older pieces from the new. Your collection is stunning.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

A beautiful collection. My favorite is the green soup tureen.

I am coming over from Suzanne's at Privet and Holly.

Fondly,
Glenda (link #27)

Privet and Holly said...

Another lovely
collection that
reflects your
grace and sense
of style....I
especially loved
the lily of the
valley plate and
the deer, but it
is all sensational.
Thanks again for
sharing your oh-
so-beautiful collections,
Delores!
xx Suzanne

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

What a fabulous collection you have! I LOVE the chargers, in all the colors! XO, Pinky

Unknown said...

I have several pieces of Bordallo Pinheiro and Olfaire Majolica I have placed for sale. Just love them, but need to part with some of my collections. WhatnotGems.Etsy.com

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