Pages

▼

Friday, 4 February 2011

Burmantofts planters


More of the colourful Burmantofts pottery in Salts Mill, Saltaire, part of the Silver family's extensive collection. These jardiniere bowls, some on pedestals, were decorative and no doubt made a fine display stand for that ubiquitous houseplant, the aspidistra.  Known as the 'cast-iron plant', these tropical plants survive neglect and shady corners and were popular indoor plants from Victorian times through to the Second World War.

They were immortalised in a song sung by Gracie Fields, 'The Biggest Aspidistra in the World':

'For years we had an aspidistra in a flower pot
On the whatnot, near the 'atstand in the 'all
It didn't seem to grow 'til one day our brother Joe
Had a notion that he'd make it strong and tall
So he's crossed it with an acorn from an oak tree
And he's planted it against the garden wall
It shot up like a rocket, 'til it's nearly reached the sky
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world.'

at

12 comments:

  1. Von4 February 2011 at 07:01

    I can hear her now!! lovely planters.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Desiree4 February 2011 at 07:45

    Some lovely pots here! I have aspidistra growing in my garden :) and my favourite 'boutique nursery' is named, "Aspidistra" - I've been intending to pay them a visit and take plenty of photographs to share on my blog. This has inspired me to get on with it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. diane b4 February 2011 at 10:20

    I can hear her sining too. I also have them growing in the garden but I don't like how the leaves get tatty.They sure are ornate planters.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mo4 February 2011 at 11:13

    I love the colours very cheery and happy

    ReplyDelete
  5. DeniseinVA4 February 2011 at 12:00

    Aren't these lovely? I have enjoyed the previous posts too. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cranberry Morning4 February 2011 at 14:42

    Oh, what a bright and cheery photo for my Friday! Thanks. :-) Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lois4 February 2011 at 20:22

    I am really enjoying these pictures of the pottery. The blue color is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Randy5 February 2011 at 01:29

    Those are great. Nice color selection.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jack5 February 2011 at 03:17

    Pretty interesting planters and columns. They would look at home in many old Victorian houses.

    ReplyDelete
  10. H5 February 2011 at 21:03

    I love these pots. The shapes, colours and textures are so rich!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Francisca6 February 2011 at 17:57

    What a unique collection! Both shapes and colours are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lili10 February 2011 at 18:08

    That is quite an impressive collection, I imagine they are valuable and rare to find one that has survived intact. ~Lili

    ReplyDelete