Popular Pendelfin Rabbits
The Pendlefin Company’s line of delightfully handcrafted stoneware is quite popular with collectors throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Europe and Australia.
Famous for its line of rabbits, Pendelfin had its humble beginning when friends Jean Walmsely Heap and Jeannie Todd began making presents for their families in a small wooden hut in Todd’s back yard in 1953. Located near Pendle Hill (also known as Witch Hill) in Burnley, Lancashire, England,their first piece was a molded wallplaque titled the Pendle Witch inspired by the many legends of ghouls and witches surrounding the area.
This was soon followed by “The Fairy Shop”, as well as more witch inspired items including the “Cauldron Witch”and the “Pixie House.” In addition, what was originally just meant to be a pasttime for the two soon evolved into an obsession that led to a full-fledged business.
By 1954, designer Doreen Noel Roberts joined them and was eventually put in charge of the part-time staff which handcrafted and painted each item diligently. Yet, it was not until 1956, that the company really began to take off with the introduction of their now famous line of rabbits. The rabbits became so popular, in fact, that they soon became the primary focus for all the Pendelfin products produced thereafter, becoming their “trademark” in the pottery world.
All the rabbits (designed by Heap and Roberts) were developed with specially thought out history and characters in mind, including a mother, father, youngsters, aunts, uncles and many others, especially those who were particularly musically oriented. The figurines also inspired bookends, as well as a whole village as a backdrop for displaying them. A particularly popular character created by Heap was called Little Thrifty, who first emerged in the Children’s Corner of the Burnley Building Society and became a center of many stories meant to inspire children to save their money.
The Pendelfin Collectors Club was founded in 1992, with “Family Circle” items created annually for members only. Among the most collectible of these pieces are The 1993 Rabbit Herald and Rabbit Bosun, the 1994 Rabbit Puffer and 1996 Rabbit Newsie. Other pieces considered highly collectible are the now rare Aunt Agatha rabbit and rabbit bookends.
Pendelfin continues to thrive, although it is no longer the company it once was. It is no longer owned by Jean Walmsley Heap and JeanTodd and all the pieces are now produced in China.
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