Collecting Blue Transferware

This article shares information about collecting blue transferware dishes, platters, bowls and other serving pieces. Here is a summary on where to find blue transferware, how to determine its age, and characteristics to look for.

If you are new to this blog: Welcome! My name is Anna and I share information on collecting antique/vintage items, refurbishing furniture, and making small crafts/projects. The purpose of this blog is to share how to use creativity and antiques to make your home beautiful. In addition to the blog, you can follow me on: Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

Back Story

As a former antiques dealer, I can attest to the popularity of blue transferware. Particularly, older pieces from England. Recently, in different design magazines such as Country Home, Country Living, or Cottages & Bungalows, I have seen a resurgence of blue transferware. Suddenly, I am seeing photos of blue transferware plates on the wall, in tablescapes, and in vignettes. Antique blue transferware seems especially popular to display during the summer months. With this collectible trending in popularity, I thought it would be helpful if I shared a little about my own collection. This will help you to make informed decisions when buying your own pieces of transferware. Specifically, I will cover: what to look for, how to determine its age, how to determine where it was made, and of course, estimated value.

Collecting Blue Transferware

I sold many pieces of antique and vintage blue transferware when I had my booth. However, there were some select pieces I could not bear to part with. Usually these were antique pieces – more than 100 years old and made in England.

As you read this article, please keep in mind my own personal preferences for blue transferware. I will also provide information on vintage transferware pieces (less than 100 years old but at least 50 years old) as well as pieces made in other countries. However, my specific knowledge in these areas is more limited.

Below, you will find headings on the following topics:

• What to look for when buying blue transferware
• How to determine its age
• How to determine where it was made
• How to estimate its value

What to Look For

Looking for blue transferware is fun! Nothing is more enjoyable than perusing an antique store, auction or flea market in search of a good find. However, before you buy a piece of blue transferware, here are some characteristics to look for.

Flow Blue

There are plates, bowls, and serving pieces with a “Flow Blue” appearance. These are pieces with a strong bold blue color where the pattern is slightly muddy or foggy. The blue pattern has a blurred appearance when compared to other blue transferware with a crisp impression. These flow blue ceramics have historically been very collectible and were made available in America around 1820.

Pale Blue Transferware

There are also transferware pieces with a very light blue or pale blue transfer. These are the type I collect.

Considerations

When you come across a piece of blue transferware meeting the descriptions above here are some things to consider before you purchase it.

• There should be a fair amount of wear on the glaze. It shouldn’t be microwave or dishwasher safe. You may see signs of where knives were used to cut food. You may see some staining or crazing. Normal wear on the surface is a sign of authenticity.
• It’s best to avoid pieces with large cracks or chips unless you love the piece and its a great price.
• Look for pieces that have a back stamp or hallmark listing the maker and possibly the pattern.
• Look for small places on the bottom without glaze showing where the piece was placed when fired in the kiln. On older pieces there are usually some distinct marks. Usually it looks like the piece was set on some points when fired in the kiln.
• Be aware the glaze used on any piece produced before 1978 will likely include lead. You have to determine whether you want transferware in your home that likely will have lead in the glaze. Do your research and make your own determination.

Determining Age

In addition to signs of normal wear on the glaze, crazing, and signs of being put in a kiln there are a few other characteristics to help you determine the age. The first and most obvious feature is a back stamp or hallmark on the back of a piece.

These marks will often times indicate the maker and the pattern. In the photo above, the top bowl was made by W.E. Oulsnam & Sons and the pattern is known as Asiatic Pheasants. Total aside, Asiatic Pheasants is a favorite pattern of mine.

The bottom vegetable bowl was made by WFS & Co, (AKA William Smith & Company) and the pattern is known as Apple Blossom. Note – the three points where the bowl was placed on tines in the kiln.

Both of the pieces above are part of my personal collection.

It’s worth noting that many makers produced transferware pieces in the same pattern. The chinoiserie pattern known as “Blue Willow“, was produced by Johnson Brothers, Alfred Meakin and Staffordshire. Some Blue Willow pieces could be antique while many others could be vintage. Here is an excellent article about Blue Willow transferware.

Both the Blue Willow bowls and pitcher are pieces I sold a number of years ago.

Once you know the maker and pattern of the piece you buy – it’s much easier to do research to determine its age.

Determining Where it was Made

Once you understand how antique transferware “looks” and you understand how it should “feel” – you can also get a sense of where it was made. There were a number of countries that produced transferware. In addition to England- it was also produced in France, Belgium, Germany, Japan and China. Many vintage pieces were produced in Japan. New transferware pieces, using old patterns, are still made today in numerous countries, including China. Without having prior knowledge and a general understanding of a piece of transferware, your best bet to determine where it was made is by using the back stamp or hallmark.

For example, the back of the plate and the underside of the cow creamer are clearly marked “England”. Also, note the staining on the underside of the plate. In my opinion, the staining is a good sign because it validates its age.

Websites exist that are devoted to identifying the back stamps, hallmarks and other marks associated with old transferware. This website for transferware made in England, is particularly helpful.

Determining Value

Let me preface “determining value” by stating the monetary value of antiques fluctuates over time. When a particular collectible is popular and in demand, the prices for these items increase considerably. A perfect example of this is when Martha Stewart wrote an article in the 1990s about her collection of vintage Jadeite. Subsequent to publication of the article, the price of jadeite increased dramatically because the demand from consumers was so great. In fact, Martha Stewart started her own line of Jadeite.

Here is an article I wrote on collecting old and new Jadeite.

Yellowware is another collectible that has fluctuated in value. During the 1990s, the cost of yellowware was very high. It was in demand and extremely collectible. Since that time, the value has declined substantially. I recently saw a cute little yellowware bowl at Brimfield flea market priced for $10. At the end of the day, it was still in the booth waiting for a home. Here is an article I wrote on identifying and collecting yellowware. Yellowware is also seeing a resurgence in popularity. It’s another item I love to collect. (popular or not)

So, with the understanding the market and value of antique and vintage items is always fluctuating, the best way to determine the value of a particular piece is to look on Ebay, under the “advanced” settings, filtered on “completed listings”. This will tell you the price pieces SOLD for. Please remember, a listing price can be vastly different than a selling price.

You can also look on Etsy to get a sense of how much people are asking for similar transferware pieces.

Finally, look for similar pieces in antique stores or talk to reputable dealers who specialize in transferware.

In Closing . . .

Many people ask me about the value of their transferware. Sometimes friends ask me if they should purchase a certain piece. “Is it a fair price? Would you buy it?”. My advice is always the same – if you love something, if it is speaking to you and if you can afford it – then buy it. Antiques are often one of a kind. You may not get another opportunity to buy that platter you love.

My own collection is imperfect and, no doubt, some appraisers would scoff at some pieces. I have an old tea pot from 1820 with chips on the spout and a few Asiatic Pheasant salad plates with hairline cracks. However, at the end of the day when I use them or look at them – they make me happy. When all is said and done – enjoying and loving the items you buy is most important. After all, this is why we are collectors.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today. I hope you found information that is useful and inspiring. Happy Collecting!

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Collecting Brown Transferware