Burgess & Leigh, based at the Middleport works in Burslem, Stoke On Trent (North Staffordshire) was a pottery with a long and distinguished history, most well known for their fabulously decorative jugs, teapots etc and they moved into tableware in the early 1930's. Burleigh is the combination of their company name, Burgess & Leigh.
BURGESS & LEIGH - Tableware
Trade name: Burleigh
Soup Tureen with lid
Balmoral Pattern
Bowl diameter is 7 inches (180mm) x 60mm deep
Dish is an oval shape, 10 inches (255mm) x 8.5 inches (215mm) x 2.25 inches (60mm) deep
Makers mark reads:
BURLEIGH
MADE
IN
ENGLAND
BALMORAL
REG. SHAPE No. 818045
REG No. 18691
Registration numbers were introduced in the late 19th Century to frustrate counterfeiters, the numbers underneath the bowl indicate the shape was registered in 1937, although it could have been manufactured after this registration year.
Just a quick comment about the decoration, we see others online calling these Art Deco! In our opinion that is just not true, Burleigh made some fantastic typically Art Deco pieces, such as jugs and teapots in particular and this Balmoral pattern is not Art Deco - perhaps it might be better described as Post Art Deco
CONDITION:
LID:
Outer edge decoration ("dabs" of gold) are in very good condition, little wear
Inner gold rings are in good condition with light wear showing
Central handle has slightly more wear due to handling, as can be seen in the photograph
Crazing is visible on the top of the lid
DISH:
Outer rim decoration "dabs" of gold are in excellent condition
The inner gold ring has light wear marks evident
Two areas of light discolouration to the top yellow area - no idea what caused these. Looking very closely with a magnifying glass and these stains appear to be UNDER the glaze.
Base of the bowl has 3x discolouration marks, these marks are coming through from the clay which indicates the glaze has broken down in this area so what these marks actually are is old mould! We have tried cleaning these, it makes no difference although we have not tried something strong such as a bleach!
Underneath is quite clean, a couple of marks in the central area which seem to be a paint! these are not flea-bites
Light crazing is evident both on top and underneath the dish.
NO cracks or chips
Overall, we can confidently say that the condition is very good considering these were often used tableware items, now almost 85 years old.
