Majolica - Lettuce & Cabbage Ware
I've been trying to ignore the pull of Majolica, specifically Lettuce and Cabbage ware for a few years, because I have a somewhat obsessive personality (but you've probably already figured that out if you're a regular reader!), and I'll only become obsessed with collecting it.
Old and new, I love it all. It's the fact that is practical, beautiful and FUN! It totally draws me in, and yes, I have failed. When my father-in-law asked me what I wanted for my birthday back in July, I immediately sent him a link to this fabulous Cabbage Jug from OKA, which I am now in possession of (I chose the white one), and I can feel a collection starting. Uh-oh. They also have some gorgeous Cabbage Plates that are really reasonably priced.
From Victorian Stoke-on-Trent, to 20th century Portugal via 1960's Palm Beach, it would seem that at some point, everyone was producing a version of lettuce or cabbage ware. It's come full circle now, with Bordallo Pinheiro still producing pieces some hundred years later, and Tory Burch collaborating with Dodi Thayer to release a stunning collection including cups and saucers and a tureen, which was quite the status symbol if you were hanging out in Palm Beach circa 1960.
I'm not going to go into the somewhat convoluted history here, because you know, I'm more about the pretty pictures and I'd only be regurgitating other peoples more informed articles. Here's an interesting
to check out if you want to delve into the history and collecting of Majolica and Lettuce Ware, including what has ultimately led to the frankly divine Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch collection that I've been swooning over for a while.
The Bordallo Pinheiro collection, has a load of fun pieces too, also including tureens and serving platters. I don't even know what a tureen is, but I still want one!
Image: Bordallo Pinheiro at Liberty
For original pieces you can try ebay, but I have my heart set on some of the pieces from Tory Burch because I'm particularly fond of that shade of green, and of course I'm rather taken with the 1960's Balm Beach back story!
So what do you think? Are you a fan or avid collector, or is it just too kitsch for your liking? Me? I'm putting some pieces on my christmas list pronto.