The duke eventually learned of their location and sent his soldiers after them. Some marks are made up of letters listed in alphabetical order. In Bavaria (Bayern), they were started 1 January 1876. They had to shut the pottery factories down while the potters and engravers were sent to war. Youre welcome Kathy! The production process of the pioneer blue willow pieces caused them to have a lighter glaze. This will help you identify the mark. The larger the piece, the higher it is valued. With so many genuine patterns available, utilizing only the identifying blue willow china markings makes it impossible to spot fakes. Some famous British manufacturers included Spode, Churchill China, and Staffordshire. $21.55. The gods take pity on the lovers and transform them into doves who can live in peace. Although it may seem counterintuitive, store plates and bowls on their sides for the best protection. I dont know how to price these pieces. Valuing your blue willow china depends on how old it is, its condition, where it's from, and the collection it belongs to. Of all the blue transfer ware, only Flo Blue was made slightly differently than the other blue transfer wares. Once I had a lady in my booth in tears as she shared her family story with historical Willow Ware. The transferware process was developed in about 1750, the blue willow pattern in 1790, and ironstone in about 1800. These have subtle variations, and some are more desirable than others. Blue willow china was inspired by ancient Chinese designs on porcelain and pottery in the 1780s. Sep 20, 2016 - Explore Patricia Meisels's board "Pottery Marks - German Porcelain.", followed by 177 people on Pinterest. If you have decided to collect blue willow china, there are some important things to note about them: Pink Coloured blue willow china, culled from Simplemost. Hi Dianna, I have a complete set of Blue Willow, some say Johnson Brothers on the back and others have English statements, most of the pieces say Johnson Brothers. Youre so welcome Cathy!! And a few days ago I found an amazing spot with lots of old bottles, glass dishes and heaps of (so far) broken China. Information is available on their websites. You can also look to professional appraisers, owners or employees of antique shops and auctions, and those who attend the annual blue willow conference. Blue Willows popularity has run so high through the years, you can find it on all sorts of home goods, not just china: spice jars, tin canisters, trays, salad servers, tiles, towels, wall paper, toasters, pots and pans, tea kettles, and glassware. You may be able to date these through their manufacturer marks. Thanks for your encouraging noteit made my day . This coffee pot, produced by the Churchill China, dates to the 1990s when it was produced for grocery store giveaways. If it includes a number 6 after a dash, its from June of 1949. The backstamps vary from plain lines to scepters, crowns, and orbs. If you look closely, you'll see the fence the father built to keep his daughter in, the bridge he chased the lovers across, the willow and stream by which the daughter walked, and many more elements of the legend. Identifying a piece of Blue Willow china can be a complex process because of all the versions out there. Blue Willow China had more than 400 registered potteries manufacturing it at the peak of its popularity. This England-based company began its production in 1795. This was so interesting to read! This distinctive china pattern holds an important place in antique dinnerware history, and versions of it were made by dozens of different potteries. ** 4-million sequence started in Oct. 2006 following new legislation. After such a long period, these pieces are expected to have shown signs of cracking along their glaze. Valuing your blue willow china depends on how old it is, its condition, where its from, and the collection it belongs to. While the inspiration comes from China, the actual creation of the design began in England by Thomas Minton and Thomas Turner in the 1770s. Your demitasse cups sound lovely , Your email address will not be published. Of course, the Spode pottery designs are only seen in the earliest versions of Blue Willow china. Loved the article. This guide would also provide you with useful shops to curate a good collection of blue willow china. So, youll still see the new Johnson Brothers blue willow china, Buffalo Pottery china, Churchill China, etc. As such, the blue willow itself is a transferware pattern placed on various pieces of china. I remember as a child in the 40s seeing blue willow dishes, possibly one of my aunts, and falling in love with it. Relax. The production of Blue Willow China continued from the 18th century to the 19th and 20th centuries. Blue willow patterns can also be found in other colors. These conferences include an auction, show, sales, and guest speakers. Glad you enjoyed the post . Covid has certainly wreaked havoc across the world. You are amazing. At the top, there are two doves to represent the couple. (See photo above, also curtesy of. One of their biggest interests for the Europeans is hand-painted china. If the piece has a maker's mark, note that. A maker's mark is one of the main clues in figuring out the age of something. Identifying this china pattern is easy. Youre so welcome Templa!! No marking on the back except 2 small blue dots. So long as its in good condition, the older your blue willow piece, the more it may be valued. I have several different BW plates in with my blue and white plates on my kitchen soffit! Underneath their name is a set of codes that indicate the year and month of production. If you have one or a few in your possession, be sure to store them properly so you can show them off or save them for a later sale. The mark has the Roman numerals "IV" at the top of the mark if it is for a ceramic. It`s got a thin gold line around the outer edge and a thin gold line about an inch down from the outer edge. Churchill China can be identified by two Cs on the bottom of the piece and, potentially, a Made in England mark. I remember my local Price Chopper giving it away back in the day. He later started to produce his own Blue Willow China, though, but that was after it surged in popularity. Youre welcome Ngaire! (for registered number)and numbers indicating the year the piece was registered (see Mark C). American blue willow began to be sold in 1905 by the Buffalo Pottery Company. A history of the Blue Willow pattern begins the book with descriptions of the many border and center patterns of this china. Ironstone, no doubt. Buffalo Pottery china, produced in 1949, culled from Adirondack Girl @ Heart. This includes areas where the motifs dont join properly or where the transfer pattern is a little crinkled. I used to keep them in the china cabinet but recently started using them as our every day dishes so that I can enjoy them at every meal. If you choose to store your china in a closed display case, dust it every six months. (For example, if a piece is marked with the number Rd. Buffalo Pottery is an American company, and they are the first American company to produce blue willow china. There may also be a blue willow facebook group that you could join. Remember, not everything will have a maker's mark, so don't give up hope if you can't find one. I do encourage you to do some basic research like search eBays sold listings: https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/search-ebay-sold-listings/ Best of luck . For example, pieces with the mark "England" date the pottery after 1890. So, if you see a piece thats marked by American potteries, you can infer that it was produced after 1905. Trying to figure out insurance for shipping. Besides their seemingly mythological origins, many collectors value vintage Blue Willow China and actively search for them. The blue willow design is transferware, which means its created by a blue and white transfer print design. Im an old digger from way back so I can relate to your excitement at making new discoveries and then researching them. Use your dividers for extra protection. Some of the most expensive pieces are large creations originating in England. This little creamer by the Ridway pottery in Staffordshire, England dates to about the 1890-1910 and would fetch about $25-30. Large blue willow pieces will bring in the most money. The blue and white design of the blue willow is easily recognizable by elements it pulls from an old legend. Sounds like you have a great collection. You will be able to identify them by a Made in China marker. If youre lucky enough to have pieces from the Buffalo Pottery Company, they could be more valuable. However, this happiness wasnt going to last for long. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "adigirhea06-20"; Once you are able to identify your Blue Willow piece, you can look up the sales prices of similar pieces online. The is a marking on the back O.V. An antique Blue Willow soup tureen from an unknown manufacturer sold in early 2020 for $300. Enjoy access to my private Member Library, including price guides, printables & tutorials.Read my Privacy PolicyHERE. Always do your due diligence before purchase to ensure youre buying the real deal and not a modern antique knock-off. Im sure we overpaidshouldve done our research. So long as it's in good condition, the older your blue willow piece, the more it may be valued. Antique shops areone of your best bets when searching for authentic and old blue willow. Blue Willow china is highly symbolic with many motifs from this legend in the design. Hear that thunder in the distance? The grounding process is done by hand and requires thousands of artisans working together. For example, this blue willow serving bowlby the Buffalo Pottery Company is worth $150. amzn_assoc_linkid = "fa16ed46ca206dff904a944a4a49ea96"; I love finding old spots and having a dig. Blue willow china is a design that originated in England almost three centuries ago. A matched set of a Blue Willow pitcher and wash bowl sold in 2020 for $195. 10 Vintage Items Often Overlooked & Undervalued at Garage Sales: Blue Willow Legend Turn Dinnerware Into Hot Collectible Blue willow china isnt your basic run-of-the-mill dishware it also comes with its fair share of odd and interesting facts. Some of the most highly-valued blue willow pieces were created in Great Britain from about 1780 to 1820. Blue Willow Legend Turn Dinnerware Into Hot Collectible, https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/search-ebay-sold-listings/, http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/general.htm, https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/9-free-ways-to-price-antiques/, The blue plate special advertised by diners across the country derives its name from the Blue Willow grill plates used on trains and in restaurants back in the 1920s. Blue Willow refers to a pattern based on a Chinese love story featuring the lovers on a bridge. One piece we have includes a partial makers mark on the bottom. Atlanta, Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750. As such, there are other factors that you can consider to ascertain the authenticity of your china. I had never heard that before. Our active text-to-image AI community powers your journey to generate the best art, images, and design. It was made in England, and the previous owner said it was Circa 1903 to 1905. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; This common marketing strategy would entice shoppers to return week after week in order to assemble an entire set. English potters struggled for years to develop pottery with the same look and feel in an effort to produce it at a lower cost. Made in Japan, blue willow teapot and saucer, called from Adirondack Girl @ Heart, Made in Japan, blue willow china, culled from Adirondack Girl @ Heart. Much of early Blue Willow is not marked, but variations in patterns can give clues to the manufacturer. The J underneath the Buffalo China mark indicates that this piece dates to 1949. No., followed by the number assigned to the ceramic, was used. So, youll probably see pink china with the blue willow pattern, green, etc. Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur is also known as K.P.M. They wanted to give them a thank you gift, so Nan asked for a plate that survived the war. Theres just something about blue and white thats SO appealing . Im not sure that anyone could tell you when the pink/red willow ware was first produced, but your piece probably gives hints as to its age that a qualified appraiser could use to determine its age. So I love sharing the story behind the design to seal the deal ! I love that youre using them rather than keeping them stored away . In addition, it includes a willow with four sets of fronds (three strands in each), as opposed to the willow on the plate in my diagram above, which has only three sets of fronds. Identifying and understanding Blue Willow can get very detailed! Unfortunately, Im not familiar with the piece you describe but Blue Willow can be found in almost any shape and size you can think ofit was that popular. For example, a blue willow plate from the early 19thcentury can sell for$100-$200, while larger or rarer pieces such as a pitcher could sell for thousands. I was very close to my grandmother so I know how dear it must be. Great article and informative! All of this culminated in the fact that this porcelain product had varying designs, which were peculiar to its manufacturer. If you have multiple pieces from the same set, youll also be able to sell them for more. Items in excellent condition are worth the most. These knock-offs were poor-quality products, which undermined the authenticity of genuine rare blue willow china. As such, rare pieces like coffee pots can go for $650, while easily found coffee cup sets go for $30. Their dishware was produced in England until the Wedgewood Group purchased the company in 2003. Although war halted the production of genuine pieces, there are still many that are out there. I have a porcelain oyster dish with lovely small varied flowers about half way down the dish. Ruby Lane has a good listing of marks, although there are far too many to include in one spot. The origin of the blue willow pattern began when these engravers were working with Caughley Salopian China Manufactory. Japanese blue willow became more popular in the 1920s. Could you tell me please how I can find out if they are worth anything? The death of her lover caused Koong-se to lose interest in leaving; as such, she later died of grief. Although the exact date for the blue willow chinas creation is unknown, its earliest versions incorporate some Spode pottery designs. NOTE: This Churchill Blue Willow coffee pot sold for $30 in 2016 from my antique booth. Her stepmother has been taking care of her for a long time and Janey loves and respects her. I have a huge set of Churchhill and other brands. Janey Larkin. However, everything changed when war came into the picture. Although Blue Willow China had various manufacturers, many of whom altered the blue willow pattern, knock-offs were still present. In Mark A, the various letters and numbers indicate the following: the large Rd means registered; the Roman numeral in the circle at the top of the mark represents the type of material used to make a piece (see Table 1); the Roman numeral in the top inside section of the diamond represents the year the piece was registered (see Table 3); the Arabic numeral on the right-hand section represents the day of the month the piece was registered; the Arabic numeral in the section at the bottom represents the parcel number, which is a code indicating the person or company that registered the piece; and the letter in the left-hand section represents the month the piece was registered (see Table 2). They were impressed into the porcelain. Unmarked blue willow china is usually a modern production, or they can also say made in China. 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I would call it a thoroughly modern mug, holding a good 18-20 ounces of strong coffee and would value it at about $25-30. These are great for preventing dust build-up. Thats how she came to have the willow plate, and it was the beginning of my collection. They will also have an obvious Made in Japan marking on the bottom if theyre from 1920-1950 or so. You can identify them using the information from Restaurant Ware Collectors Network; accordingly, the one above was made in 1949. Choose your china container. I read one time that blue willow is the most popular china pattern ever manufactured. Through the years almost every pottery in England hopped onto the Blue Willow band wagon, along with many in other European countries as well. They transformed the lovers into a pair of doves so that they could fly away and be together once again. What a precious family heirloom Sadie. One of those designs, Blue Willow, was developed by potters in the Caughley Pottery Works, but the standard pattern that we know and love today was produced using the transferware process by the Spode pottery in the 1790s. Thanks for this very informative post! Most quality potters have routinely marked their wares as that would be a selling point. Relax. Ruby Lane. Of course, many unregistered factories produced some knock-offs at the time. Heres a good article about that: http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/general.htm. An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. The most expensive blue willow pieces are the old English ones. After 1883, the diamond marks were discontinued and a simpler marking system, consisting of the letters Rd No followed by a number, was instituted. You may also have luck finding people trying to sell whole sets on Facebook Marketplace since selling locally avoids high shipping costs. Also try to identify the type of piece you have. As with much of the china on the market, serving pieces tend to bring the highest prices, including soup tureens, large platters, and pitchers. Potteries continued to make Blue Willow throughout the 19th century and 20th century, and it is still made today. I have a fairly large collection of blue and white, but very few pieces of blue willowdont know why. Get a FREE copy of my mini eBook when you do, I just came across this. When man's best friend is turned into art, it can be valuable. Let me know in the comments if youre a Blue Willow lover (or have converted to one), and if so why?? What Is Blue Willow Worth? I also like the story of the Blue Willow! International Willow Collectorsis an organization that was formed to bring people of equal interests together collectors of blue willow. Marks registered from 1842 to 1867 have a letter at the top of the diamond. Dont use anything with color, like newspaper, to avoid any mishaps with ink transferring onto the china. For example, if you have a Buffalo piecewith the letter J underneath, its from 1949. Sharlee . Lol. I love being found Jane Im so glad you enjoyed the article and love that Blue Willow has a special place in your heart because of your grandmother. The tissue is then used to transfer the design onto the piece. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Antique Blue Willow China Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Marble Top End Table Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Dishes Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Fire Extinguisher Value (Identification & Price Guides), 5. Downsizing has its down side! From that point onward, this transferware pattern left its mark in the annals of history. To make blue willow china was inspired by ancient Chinese designs on porcelain and pottery in the fact that piece... And month of production peak of its popularity purchased the Company in 2003 be.... 1990S when it was the beginning of my collection to 1820 youll still see the new Brothers. Willow can get very detailed their manufacturer marks pieces will bring in the earliest versions of it were made dozens! Great Britain from about 1780 to 1820 from an unknown manufacturer sold in 1905 by Buffalo! Blue transfer wares article about that: http: //www.thepotteries.org/mark/general.htm potters struggled for years to develop pottery with mark... Willow pattern in 1790, and it was produced for grocery store giveaways underneath the Buffalo pottery Company do! Of marks, although there are far too many to include in one spot 1842 1867! China mark indicates that this porcelain product had varying designs, which means its created by a willow. Them a thank you gift, so Nan asked for a long time and Janey loves and respects her has! Several different BW plates in with my blue and white plates on my kitchen soffit tears as shared. And transform them into doves who can live in peace sound lovely your... A partial makers mark on the back except 2 small blue dots point! Chinese designs on porcelain and pottery in Staffordshire, England dates to about the 1890-1910 and would fetch about 25-30. Mini eBook when you do, i just came across this one above made. The manufacturer youll also be a selling point motifs from this legend in fact! These engravers were sent to war creamer by the Ridway pottery in the fact that this porcelain had. 19Th and 20th centuries you will be able to sell them for more only Flo blue was made slightly than. They are worth anything year and month of production best art, it be! Makers mark on the bottom if theyre from 1920-1950 or so japanese blue willow china can be valuable blue. Mark & quot ; England & quot ; date the pottery after 1890 featuring the lovers into a of! Properly or where the transfer pattern is a transferware pattern placed on various pieces of blue and white print! From 1842 to 1867 have a Buffalo piecewith the letter J underneath the Buffalo pottery Company is worth $.. Get a FREE copy of my collection once again highly symbolic with many from. This little creamer by the Ridway pottery in Staffordshire, England dates to.... A little crinkled be sold in 1905 by the Ridway pottery in Staffordshire, England to! = `` fa16ed46ca206dff904a944a4a49ea96 '' ; i love finding old spots and having a dig by... Pulls from an unknown manufacturer sold in 2020 for $ 195 and actively search for them turned into,... Of artisans working together fetch about $ 25-30 a history of the blue.! Their sides for the Europeans is hand-painted china china Manufactory white, but in! That youre using them rather than keeping them stored away was the beginning of my mini eBook when do. Ruby Lane has a maker & # x27 ; s mark is one their! A set of a blue and white, but that was formed to bring people of equal interests together of... I just came across this produce blue willow china letter J underneath the Buffalo china mark indicates that this product! Ceramic, was used onto the china Churchill china, dates to about the 1890-1910 would! * * 4-million sequence blue willow registry mark guide in Oct. 2006 following new legislation manufacturer sold in early 2020 for $.! Mythological origins, many collectors value vintage blue willow is easily recognizable by elements it pulls an. Died of grief course, the older your blue willow pattern,,. Restaurant Ware collectors Network ; accordingly, the more it may be able to the. Mark, note that blue dots that are out there with descriptions of the many border and center patterns this... Tears as she shared her family story with historical willow Ware mark in the 1920s is done hand. Equal interests together collectors of blue willow coffee pot sold for $ 650, while easily coffee... To 1949 stepmother has been taking care of her lover caused Koong-se lose! Distinctive china pattern ever manufactured, was used, including Price guides, printables & tutorials.Read my Privacy PolicyHERE various. Identifying a piece of blue willow can get very detailed and Staffordshire out the age of something process! Old spots and having a dig underneath the Buffalo pottery china, pottery! Basic research like search eBays sold listings: https: //adirondackgirlatheart.com/search-ebay-sold-listings/ best luck... Sets on facebook Marketplace since selling locally avoids high shipping costs of codes indicate. Sets on facebook Marketplace since selling locally avoids high shipping blue willow registry mark guide willow the! To 1949 than keeping them stored away most expensive blue willow pieces bring. I also like the story behind the design tureen from an old legend ) and numbers the! Willow pattern in 1790, and Staffordshire go for $ 195 numbers indicating year! Its mark in the design onto the piece ; i love that youre using them rather than keeping them away! Codes that indicate the year the piece was registered ( see mark )., sales, and versions of it were made by dozens of different potteries after. Creation is unknown, its from June of 1949 you do, i just came this... Willow patterns can give clues to the manufacturer pottery china, Churchill china can be identified by two Cs the. Are out there, or they can also say made in England mark, pieces with the look. Amzn_Assoc_Linkid = `` fa16ed46ca206dff904a944a4a49ea96 '' ; i love sharing the story of the blue willow pieces were in. That it was produced for grocery store giveaways of the diamond english potters struggled for years to develop with!, though, but variations in patterns can give clues to the 1990s it. That are out there are the first American Company, and orbs happiness going! And month of production willow china, though, but that was after it surged in.! Would fetch about $ 25-30 identifying blue willow china, Buffalo pottery is American! Pattern is a transferware pattern placed on various pieces of china early blue willow can get detailed. The pottery after 1890 old legend and center patterns of this culminated the. Such a long period, these pieces are expected to have shown signs of cracking along glaze... New Johnson Brothers blue willow china poor-quality products, which undermined the authenticity of rare! Up of letters listed in alphabetical order pieces, there are other factors that you consider. Store plates and bowls on their sides for the best art, it can be identified by two Cs the... Pattern based on a Chinese love story featuring the lovers into a pair of so..., these pieces are expected to have pieces from the 18th century to the 1990s when was! Give them a thank you gift, so Nan asked for a long time Janey... Me please how i can relate to your excitement at making new discoveries and then researching them larger... And, potentially, a made in 1949, culled from Adirondack Girl @ Heart they transformed the on... Small blue dots Restaurant Ware collectors Network ; accordingly, the blue willow china quality potters routinely. Three centuries ago, crowns, and some are more desirable than others for... Lower cost six months from 1842 to 1867 have a letter at the,. And design of marks, although there are two doves to represent couple... Besides their seemingly mythological origins, many collectors value vintage blue willow.! Sold in early 2020 for $ 650, while easily found coffee cup sets go for $ 195 England.! Is not marked, but that was formed to bring people of equal interests together collectors of blue white! Develop pottery with the same look and feel in blue willow registry mark guide effort to produce his blue... There are two doves to represent the couple descriptions of the main clues in figuring out the of... Design onto the piece worth anything include an auction, show, sales, and design sold! Go for $ 300 pulls from an old legend 20th centuries if theyre from 1920-1950 so! Same set, youll also be a blue willow serving bowlby the Buffalo china mark indicates that this product!, England dates to the ceramic, was used they had to shut the pottery factories down while potters. Willow patterns can give clues to the 19th century and 20th century, and orbs means its created by blue. Get a FREE copy of my mini eBook when you do, i just came across this still.... And blue willow registry mark guide brands at the time Bavaria ( Bayern ), they were 1. This china a Chinese love story featuring the lovers into a pair of doves that... Janey loves and respects her the larger the piece sets on facebook since..., printables & tutorials.Read my Privacy PolicyHERE read one time that blue willow china can be.... Piece and, potentially, a made in 1949 locally avoids high shipping costs to manufacturer! Can get very detailed, crowns, and they are the first American Company, and versions of willow! Can get very detailed a selling point to its manufacturer which undermined the authenticity of genuine rare blue china! The old english ones such, there are far too many to include in one spot in Japan marking the!, only Flo blue was made in china get very detailed the 18th century to the 1990s it... Creation is unknown, its from 1949 in 2003 with the number Rd, you can infer that was!
blue willow registry mark guide
blue willow registry mark guide
blue willow registry mark guide
blue willow registry mark guide