We picked up this striking pottery bird last week. It’s actually a money box and it was made by a company whose wares are very familiar to us – namely Shelf Pottery – who operated in Shelf, near Halifax and only a few miles away from where we live in Todmorden. We often come across their pieces at local markets, antique centres & auctions.

It’s quite distinctive pottery in terms of design & colourway with the warm oatmeal, cream, beige & browns. We love some of the stylised birds that they produced in the 1970s era. You can also find some great bowls & vases with quite eccentric and abstract forms. You’ll find a little more info and images of a few more examples on the 20th Century Forum