This Bordallo Pinheiro majolica Hen in Nest, handcrafted in Portugal, is one of the finest examples of majolica "chicken in basket" pottery you'll find — nearly 7 inches tall, with the hen herself lifting away to reveal a woven nest bowl beneath.
Maker: Bordallo Pinheiro
Materials: Majolica ceramic
Dimensions: approx. 7.0" tall; basket interior 2.25" deep x 5.5" wide
Origin: Portugal
Era: Vintage, 1980s (estimated)
Condition: Very good vintage condition. Chip on the basket's bottom border, another on the hen's tail, and the tiniest chip on the crest — minor and consistent with age, photographed for you. No cracks, crazing, or scratches. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
Perfect for candies, jewelry, or small treasures, and equally at home as kitchen decor in a farmhouse, cottagecore, or country-inspired space — a lovely gift for the majolica collector, the Portugal ceramics enthusiast, or the hen-in-basket devotee.
This piece isn't marked "Bordallo Pinheiro" directly — after the 1980s, the maker began marking pieces simply with a mold number and a "Made in Portugal" impression, relying on a paper label bearing the Bordallo name and frog logo for full attribution; this example no longer retains that label. It is impressed with mold number 922-A and "Made in Portugal" on the base. Bordallo Pinheiro was founded in 1884 by artist Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, whose naturalistic designs earned numerous international exhibition awards and established the company as one of Portugal's most celebrated potteries. Still in production today and known especially for its majolica, the brand remains a benchmark for Portuguese decorative ceramics.
We also carry a documented antique William Kent hen in nest and a hen-in-nest tureen with baby chicks — browse our Hen in Nest collection to compare styles across eras.
