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The Burleighware Guardsman jug couldn’t be from any other place or time - the steadfast marching figures are undeniably British, and the geometric lines of the legs in sync scream Art Deco. This iconic piece isn't an isolated curio; it actually marches in step with a wider tradition of eccentric novelty jugs at Burleigh Pottery.
The Auction Room Report: Auctionets specialist Kayleigh Davies shares her thoughts on highlightes items.
Burleigh has been operating in the heart of the Potteries since 1851, but their golden years are considered to be the interwar period. During this period Charlotte Rhead was producing her sophisticated and bold tube-lined patterns, but the factory was also turning out a menagerie of animal jugs and character jugs depicting everyone from smiling golfers to mischievous pixies. The handles were integral to the design – a climbing squirrel, the Pied Piper with rats gathered at his feet – showcasing a real sense of fun and ingenuity.
The 1980s and 1990s saw a surge of interest in this 1930s jug, which had been produced in limited numbers. It was reissued in the 1980s, but by the 1990s original examples could fetch around £1000 at auction. To distinguish original pieces, check the backstamp. Pre-1940s pieces show a beehive surrounded by leaves, later issues have a smaller beehive without leaves. While prices are no longer at the dizzying 90s peak, the Guardsman jug consistently attracts enthusiastic bidding.
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The Guardsman, like Burleigh's other novelty jugs, offered a bit of lightheartedness. It highlights the playful spirit of a company also capable of producing more serious artistic pieces. Design didn't always have to be highbrow; sometimes, it could just be wonderfully, unapologetically fun. This jug is a perfect example of Burleigh's ability to blend craftsmanship with a good old dose of British eccentricity.
