I’ve been searching for some Picquot Ware for some time for My Vintage Wren. I’ve seen the odd teapot and jug but never a full set. So when I happened upon a rather dull looking but complete set I had to have it!
Picquot Ware was produced until fairly recently but is no longer available to buy brand new. Its beautiful shape, shiny metal finish and sycamore handles make these items an iconic representation of mid twentieth century design, while also being a timeless classic that fits into modern schemes.
Picquot (pronounced Pea ko) Ware was produced by Burrage and Boyd in England. They were a company founded in Northampton in 1932 and produced non-electric vacuum cleaners. The main components of these cleaners were cast aluminium and as the company became more successful they began to look for additional products which could be made using the technology they had in casting, machining and finishing. The decision was made to diversify into high class tableware. During development it was identified that an alloy called Magnaillium (Maganese and Aluminum) could be polished to provide a silver like finish.
In 1939 the first item designed was a 3 pint kettle – still highly desirable and hard to come by! During the war the factory was used for ammunitions and so it was only in 1947 that the kettle went into production and at the same time a teapot was introduced. This was followed in 1949 by a water jug with lid, sugar bowl, milk jug and, my favourite, the serving tray which has a heat resistant wareite centre.
Picquot tableware is cast in one piece to ensure no leaks occur. Its spout is also designed for smooth non-drip pouring. It has milled lid hinges to ensure a perfect fit and beautifully styled handles made from sycamore. It is the combination of highly polished metal and dark wooden handles that make this, in my opinion, such a great design classic.
Picquot Ware was produced until fairly recently but is no longer available to buy brand new. Its beautiful shape, shiny metal finish and sycamore handles make these items an iconic representation of mid twentieth century design, while also being a timeless classic that fits into modern schemes.
Picquot (pronounced Pea ko) Ware was produced by Burrage and Boyd in England. They were a company founded in Northampton in 1932 and produced non-electric vacuum cleaners. The main components of these cleaners were cast aluminium and as the company became more successful they began to look for additional products which could be made using the technology they had in casting, machining and finishing. The decision was made to diversify into high class tableware. During development it was identified that an alloy called Magnaillium (Maganese and Aluminum) could be polished to provide a silver like finish.
In 1939 the first item designed was a 3 pint kettle – still highly desirable and hard to come by! During the war the factory was used for ammunitions and so it was only in 1947 that the kettle went into production and at the same time a teapot was introduced. This was followed in 1949 by a water jug with lid, sugar bowl, milk jug and, my favourite, the serving tray which has a heat resistant wareite centre.
Picquot tableware is cast in one piece to ensure no leaks occur. Its spout is also designed for smooth non-drip pouring. It has milled lid hinges to ensure a perfect fit and beautifully styled handles made from sycamore. It is the combination of highly polished metal and dark wooden handles that make this, in my opinion, such a great design classic.
When I found this set it was in a very well used state - the jug picture above shows what it looked like when I got it. These are sturdy items made to last and be used every day. However over time the metal does dull. This was simply remedied by a pot of Silvo and a lot of elbow grease! Silvo is the sister product to Brasso and is smeared all over the item you wish to clean before polishing it off with a clean cloth. It gets very messy and the amount of dirt produced is incredible, but well worth the effort. The middle picture above shows the half way point: two items done, two still to go. While the set I cleaned still shows sign of wear (well it is over 50 years old) it now has a lovely shiny finish.
If you’re after a set of Piquot ware and would like to find out what I currently have available please just contact me through the website, Facebook or Instagram. The set pictured is currently available (as of September 2017) through myself or at Oakwood Vintage in Leeds. Likewise if you have any photos of Picquot Ware currently in your possession I’d love to see pictures. Either comment below with photos or tag My Vintage Wren on social media with any pictures you post.
Now I just have to go and search for that elusive kettle…
Note: this blog was updated in 2019 to clarify that unfortunately Piquot Ware is no longer available brand new. Good quality second hand pieces are still widely available. If you are after a particular piece please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you’re after a set of Piquot ware and would like to find out what I currently have available please just contact me through the website, Facebook or Instagram. The set pictured is currently available (as of September 2017) through myself or at Oakwood Vintage in Leeds. Likewise if you have any photos of Picquot Ware currently in your possession I’d love to see pictures. Either comment below with photos or tag My Vintage Wren on social media with any pictures you post.
Now I just have to go and search for that elusive kettle…
Note: this blog was updated in 2019 to clarify that unfortunately Piquot Ware is no longer available brand new. Good quality second hand pieces are still widely available. If you are after a particular piece please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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