Collecting Antique Blue and White Transferware
Popular China from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
The Stoke-on-Trent area of Staffordshire, England has always been known for its potters including well-known names like Wedgwood, Spode, Minton and Royal Doulton. In the mid-18th century many of the potters in the region began to experiment with transferring an image onto china. Many of the images represented village life, floral borders, fanciful birds, even pictorial scenes from the New World.
Prior to the introduction of transferware, pretty china was painted by hand and expensive for the general public. Transferware from this early period was generally one color over white. Blue and white transferware was very popular and still is today, with contemporary potters reproducing patterns and illustrations from the past. The Blue Willow pattern is still a favorite.
How was Transferware Made?
The process is similar to that of printed engravings from the same period. An illustration was engraved onto a copper plate. The plate was inked in the color chosen for the china, transferred to a thin piece of paper, and the paper then transferred to the china before the piece was fired in a kiln. This fused the illustration to the china. The transfer was most often under the glazing.
Collecting Blue and White Transferware
There were numerous potters creating blue and white transferware china, and as a result, there are numerous shades of blue and numerous designs, including what is known as Flow Blue china.
Flow Blue china took the transfer one step further, allowing the inked blues to flow or bleed out into the white parts of the piece. It was made primarily to hide faults in the transfer. Flow Blue is highly collectible and a perennial favorite in transferware.
The most sought after blue and white transferware, are those made in the early Victorian period, especially those made in Staffordshire with scenes from the United States for export. Over time, collectors become very knowledgeable about what they collect and know what to look for to enhance their collections.
Condition plays a role in purchasing antique ceramics as well. Please read Buying Tips for Vintage and Antique Ceramics to learn what to consider when it comes to damage.
Where to Find Blue and White Transferware
Blue and white transferware can be found everywhere, but not all pieces have age or great value, because they have been copied so much in the 20th century.
Most antique shops, markets and malls will have a selection of blue and white transferware, but for a particular piece, online auctions and stores are a good place to search.
Live antique auctions nearly always have one or two blue and white transferware pieces.
Price Guide for Transferware
As with everything antique, trends come and go. Values are up and down.
The value of some early blue and white transferware pieces are in the thousands, but those prices are rare. A collector can easily purchase a plate or platter for less than $100. And there are many 20th century pieces that can be purchased for as little as $10. Those signed simply Japan may date to the first half of the last century, but they were mass produced and are at the low end when it comes to value. These less expensive pieces are certainly worthy of display.
Values for Flow Blue transferware are up and down. Early pieces, can range from $20 -$500, depending on rarity, condition and the item itself. These early pieces from about 1830 to 1870 were most often made of ironstone. Later pieces were made of semi-porcelain.
Displaying Blue and White Transferware
As with all collections, blue and white transferware should be displayed together for the best show.
A selection of plates and platters arranged on a dining room wall is charming and cottagey against a white wall. Antique experts suggest antique plates should not be wrapped in wire plate hangers, because over time it could damage the piece, wearing down the edges. But for lesser pieces, or pieces with hidden chips already, this is a perfect way to display them.
If displaying in a china cabinet, keep only blue and white china on the shelves. Adding other bits and pieces will only deter from the china and it will look busy.
A mixed collection of pitchers, jugs, plates and platters will also show well on a buffet, mantle or built-in shelves.
References
- Antiques at Home, Barbara Milo Ohrbach, Clarkson Potter, 1989
- Ruby Lane
Collection of Antique Transferware and Flow Blue
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Victorian Porcelain Transferware Platter
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