Made by C.T. Maling & Sons in Newcastle upon Tyne, England this Willow pattern pedestal fruit bowl was probably made between 1928 and the 1940's when Maling began their long association with Ringtons tea merchants of Newcastle. Ringtons sold tea door-to-door, and it was decided that it would be a novel advertising 'gimmick' to sell the tea packaged in a caddy produced by Maling. The first example was square in shape and decorated in 'Willow' Pattern (or 'Broseley' as it was known in the pottery).
 
Maling pottery was produced in the north east of England for just over two centuries. The pottery was founded at North Hylton near Sunderland in 1762, and transferred to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1817. In the 1850s Malings pioneered making pottery containers by machine, rather than by hand. This speeded up the production process and led to huge orders from manufacturers of goods as diverse as marmalade, meat and fish pastes, ointments and printing ink. It sadly closed in 1963 after a long, distinguished manufacturing history having produced many iconic patterns and unique pieces. 
 
Planted up with scented geranium P. Friesdorf which has lovely dark leaves and lipstick-red flowers. Our scented geraniums are planted carefully in their antique bowl, will flower all summer long and can be over-wintered back in their terracotta pots. We enclose detailed instructions on their care and the provenance of the bowl. 
 
H: 10.5cm   D: 26cm