The Burghley collection of ceramics is world-famous. It features rare and beautiful pieces from China and Japan, together with pottery and porcelains from the finest European manufactories. The Japanese porcelain at Burghley comprises one of the most important Asian export collections in Europe; it is early, extensive and extremely well documented.

The scope of the collections at Burghley was not recognised until the 1980's.  Much of the collection was thought to have been sold in the nineteenth century.  However, investigations by Lady Victoria Leatham after the death of the 6th Marquess in 1981 revealed that a multitude of rare and exciting pieces had survived, tucked away in storage throughout the House. This was particularly exciting because subsequent research showed many of the items were listed in the 1688 inventory of the House and can still be seen in the State Rooms today.