Why Victorian and Mid-Century Pottery Still Turns Heads

There’s something quietly addictive about old pottery. Not just how it looks, but how it feels. The weight of it in your hand, the glaze under your fingers, the small imperfections that give it life. Two of the most rewarding periods for collectors, and two that couldn’t be more different, are the Victorian era and the mid-20th century. Both remain sought-after.

Victorian pottery has never really fallen out of fashion. It was made to be seen. From transfer-printed jugs and ornamental vases to the ever-popular Staffordshire figures, these pieces were full of detail, full of pride, and full of charm. There’s something wonderfully bold about them. The Victorians didn’t decorate for subtlety, they decorated to impress, and the pottery of the period captures that perfectly.

At the same time, it was a period of technical progress. Makers like Minton, Royal Doulton, and Wedgwood combined craft with innovation, producing ceramics that were both beautiful and widely accessible. Many of these names still command respect today, not only because of their design, but because the work was built to last. We’ve currently got some fine examples in stock, including decorative and functional pieces that show the best of what the period had to offer.

Then you step into the 1950s and 60s, and everything shifts. The mood changes. Out go the ornate flourishes, and in come clean lines, honest forms, and earthy glazes. Post-war Britain embraced a new kind of simplicity, and pottery reflected that. The studio ceramics movement gave us individual makers like Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach, who stripped things back and brought focus to shape, material, and touch.

Even the mainstream manufacturers, like Denby, Hornsea, and Poole, responded to the times with designs that were understated yet full of character. Mid-century pottery has a confidence to it. It doesn’t need to shout. It lets texture and form do the talking. These pieces fit seamlessly into contemporary homes, which is partly why they’re still so collectable. We’re pleased to offer a small but carefully chosen selection right now, with more arriving regularly.

So why do collectors keep coming back to these two eras?

Because they offer more than decoration. They each reflect something about the way people lived, what they valued, and how they wanted their homes to feel. Victorian pieces carry the energy of invention and empire. Mid-century ones carry the quiet optimism of a country rebuilding itself. Both still resonate, and both continue to surprise us with their relevance and beauty.

We  look for pottery that stands out not just because it’s old, but because it still has presence. The best pieces don’t just sit quietly in a corner, they hold their space, and they spark conversation.

If you’re as drawn to these periods as we are, it’s a good time to take a look at what’s available. You might just find something that speaks to you.