Quail Ceramics is a British ceramics brand specialising in hand-painted animal figures shaped as functional homeware: vases, egg cups, salt and pepper sets, butter dishes, money boxes and much more. Each piece is cast in moulds and hand-painted afterwards, giving individual nuances from piece to piece. The range spans from birds and dogs to wild animals and farm animals — and is continuously expanded with new species.
Some ceramics brands put colour centre stage. Others go all-in on shape. Quail Ceramics does both at once — and adds animals. The British brand has had one clear focus since the start: ceramics that look like real animals and are still fully functional. An owl is a vase. A hen is an egg cup. A dog is a salt and pepper set. It sounds simple, but the execution requires an eye for proportion, detail and humour — and those are precisely the three things Quail has mastered.
Who is Quail Ceramics?
Quail Ceramics was founded in England and has worked with animal-shaped functional items since the start. The brand has one clear design philosophy: each piece must resemble the animal it depicts — not as a caricature, but as a genuine representation with correct proportions and a painting style that captures the species' distinctive features. A labrador from Quail has the soft, floppy ear. A fox has the narrow jaw and the bushy tail. It requires skilled craftspeople who understand how to work with animals as a motif, and that's the expertise the brand is built on.
Quail is today one of the most recognisable names within animal-shaped homeware, and the brand has fans across Europe. Many discover it through a single piece and end up with a collection spread throughout their home.
Cast and hand-painted — how it's made
Quail's products are made by casting in moulds — a method that gives a consistent base shape from piece to piece. But it's the subsequent hand-painting that defines the finished product. The paint is applied manually, which means that two seemingly identical owls are never quite the same. One might have a slightly darker chest, the other a slightly more distinct eye ring. It's not a flaw — it's a feature of the craftsmanship.
The ceramic is robust and suitable for everyday use, but the hand-painted surface is sensitive to repeated machine washing. Quail recommends hand washing to preserve the details in the paint. The ceramic itself isn't fragile, but if you treat the paint gently, it will last significantly longer.
Tip: Wash Quail products with a soft cloth and lukewarm water — avoid putting them in the dishwasher, even though the ceramic can technically withstand it. It's the paint and the fine details that suffer from the high temperatures and the harsh detergent.
Vases and pencil holders
Quail's animal-shaped vases are some of the most sought-after items in the range. The shape is always an animal — typically a bird or a mammal — and the opening at the top is large enough for a single stem or a small bouquet. You can easily use them for flowers, but most work just as well as sculptures on a shelf or table.
Quail also makes wall vases shaped like animal heads — a half sculpture that mounts on the wall and holds a small opening for a single flower. It's a different alternative to the classic picture or mirror on the wall, and they fit surprisingly well into many different interior styles. See the full range of wall vases for inspiration on what else is available in that category.
The pencil holders follow exactly the same logic as the vases: the animal shape is the starting point, the opening is the function. They're suitable for pens, pencils, brushes or scissors and work well on the desk, in the children's room or in a studio. Because they're relatively compact, they also make an obvious gift — they don't take up much space, but they stick in the memory.
Egg cups
If there's one category Quail Ceramics has truly made its own, it's egg cups. The concept is simple: the bird sits holding the egg from below, so the egg rests in its open body. It's functional and visually precise at the same time — the shape itself makes sense.
The range of bird species is broad. You'll find hens, ducks, owls, parrots, penguins, kingfishers and puffins, and the range is continuously expanded. Many use them as decoration in the kitchen or on a shelf, but they're of course also fully functional for everyday breakfast.
See the full range of Quail egg cups, or explore our wider collection of animal-shaped egg cups — here you'll also find egg cups featuring dogs, cats and other designs from various manufacturers.
| Bird species | Typical design | Also available as a vase? |
|---|---|---|
| Hen | Egg cup, salt & pepper | Yes |
| Owl | Egg cup, vase, pencil holder | Yes |
| Parrot | Pencil holder, egg cup | Yes |
| Duck | Egg cup, salt & pepper, jug | Yes |
| Penguin | Egg cup | No |
| Puffin | Egg cup | No |
Tableware accessories: salt, pepper, butter and more
Quail has expanded its universe far beyond vases and egg cups. A large part of the range is functional art for the table and kitchen — items that are practical in everyday life, but which also tell a little animal story every time you use them.
Salt and pepper sets
Quail's salt and pepper sets are shaped like animal pairs — two dogs, two cats, two ducks. They're cast from a single mould, but painted differently, so you can tell who's who. The pairs look great on the dining table and almost always start a conversation. If you're after other styles in the same category, we also have animal salt & pepper sets from other manufacturers.
Butter dishes
A butter dish is a ceramic lid that's placed over the butter to keep it fresh and protect it from dust and light. Quail's version has an animal-shaped lid — typically a bird or a mammal — with a plate underneath. The function is the same as any other butter dish, but the shape is different. See the range of Quail butter dishes.
Piggy banks — and other animals
Quail makes money boxes, but they're not necessarily shaped like pigs. You'll find money boxes shaped like dogs, cats and a whole host of other animals. They're aimed at children, but often end up staying on display as decoration in the adult home too. See Quail piggy banks here.
Wine stoppers and jugs
Wine stoppers with ceramic animal heads are one of the more understated parts of Quail's range — but they're still a perfectly good gift idea. Jugs with an animal theme round off the range and let you bring the whole table together in a cohesive, animal-shaped world.
Which animals are in the range?
Quail's animal universe is broad and keeps growing. Here's an overview of the animals you'll typically find in the range:
- Birds: owls, parrots, hens, ducks, penguins, kingfishers, puffins, starlings
- Dogs: labrador, springer spaniel, cocker spaniel, pug, dachshund and more
- Cats: several breeds and colour variations
- Wild animals: hares, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, elephants
- Farm animals: cows, pigs, sheep, horses
New animals are launched regularly, which is part of what makes Quail so interesting for collectors. You never quite know what will turn up next.
Quail as a collector's item
Quail products are priced to make it affordable to start a collection. They're compact — an egg cup or a small vase doesn't take up much space — and the range is broad enough that there's always something new to add.
Collectors typically fall into two groups: those who collect one animal species (e.g. all dogs across product categories), and those who collect one product type (e.g. all egg cups regardless of animal). Both approaches make sense, and the two naturally overlap from time to time.
Because each piece is hand-painted individually, there will always be small variations from piece to piece. This isn't a flaw — it's proof that a person has held that piece in their hands and painted it. It gives a sense of ownership that sets it apart from purely industrially made ceramics.
If you'd like to compare with other characterful ceramics brands, take a look at our full range of ceramic vases — here you'll find hand-painted ceramics from a wide range of European makers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quail Ceramics handmade?
The products are cast in moulds, so the basic shape is uniform. Afterwards, each piece is hand-painted individually, and it's this process that gives each product its character. No two pieces are ever completely identical — there will always be small differences in the painting, which is a direct result of the manual work.
Is Quail Ceramics dishwasher safe?
Quail recommends hand washing. The ceramic itself is sturdy, but the hand-painted finish is sensitive to high temperatures and strong cleaning agents. Wash with a soft cloth and lukewarm water to preserve the details as well as possible over time.
What product types does Quail Ceramics make?
Quail makes vases, egg cups, salt and pepper sets, butter dishes, money boxes, pencil holders, wine stoppers, wall vases and jugs. All products are shaped like animals and hand-painted. The range covers many different animals — from birds and dogs to wild animals and farm animals.
Does Quail launch new animals regularly?
Yes. Quail continually expands its range with new animals and new product categories. This makes the brand especially appealing to collectors who keep up with new releases. New launches are added to the range as they become available.
Is Quail Ceramics suitable for children?
Many products — especially money boxes and pencil holders — appeal nicely to children and are popular gifts for the kids' room. The egg cups are also used by families with children. Generally speaking, though, this is functional art meant for all ages, not specifically toys.
How much do Quail Ceramics products typically cost?
Pricing varies depending on the product type. Egg cups and wine stoppers are at the lower end and make affordable gifts. Vases and butter dishes are typically a bit higher. Overall, the pricing is accessible enough that many people start with a single piece and gradually expand their collection.
Summary
Quail Ceramics have found a niche they've mastered to perfection: ceramics shaped and painted like real animals, yet still fully functional in everyday life. The basic form is cast, but the painting is done by hand — and it's this individual hand-painting that gives each piece its character. The range is broad and keeps growing with new animals and product types, from egg cups and vases to salt and pepper sets and butter dishes. Whether you're after a gift, a single detail for the kitchen, or a starting point for a collection, Quail offers something with personality and real craftsmanship behind it.
Explore our range of Quail Ceramics — hand-painted ceramic animal figures for the table, the shelf and everyday life.
