4) Hanley Blue Willow . These pieces have a much stronger presence of the color blue. Ruby Lane Blog. If you love vintage and antiques, then you've come to the right place. This will help you identify the mark. Lucas, on the other hand, left Caughley to work under Josiah Spode in the Spode pottery. I have attended many auctions in all parts of the country. Some of these platforms include: Blue Willow China began as a successful representation of what an English man believes Asian pottery is like. Electronic Book (e-Book) Policy: Purchaser of this e-Book may not sell, rent, lease, transfer, lend or share the e-Book. I would love to include a picture of it to see if anyone has a clue about it. They will also have an obvious Made in Japan marking on the bottom if theyre from 1920-1950 or so. Blue Willow collectors today can easily research marks and choose to focus on the high-end or low-end of the Blue Willow market. Sadly, it ends with the demise of both the daughter and the secretary. The got away, but years later, her father caught up with them. The design pulls elements such as a bridge, two birds, and willow trees from the story. Some marked pieces offer clues because the mark was only used for a certain period of time at that pottery. Covid has certainly wreaked havoc across the world. Many include two birds in the design that are noticeably plumper than English blue willow bird patterns. All rights reserved. This includes a coffee pot, coffee cup, and platter from the same manufacturer and the same year of production. Heres a good article about that: http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/general.htm. I do encourage you to do some basic research like search eBays sold listings: https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/search-ebay-sold-listings/ Best of luck . 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 laws regarding what the mark had to contain, e.g., country of origin, have changed throughout the years. However, everything changed when war came into the picture. Pieces from the late 18thand early 19thcenturies are usually the most expensive. Experts in the group will likely be able to help you. ESTATE GROUP OF ENGLISH FLOW BLUE BLUE WILLOW. (See photo above, also curtesy of. If you prefer to have it protected and put away, consider plastic bins as theyre sturdier and more durable than the cardboard box alternative. With so many genuine patterns available, utilizing only the identifying blue willow china markings makes it impossible to spot fakes. Many of their pieces can be identified by a letter-number combination. Antique Blue and White Transferware: Collecting Tips, With its endless pattern variations and classic look, antique blue and white transferware is popular with collectors. Thanks for your encouraging noteit made my day . You can identify them using the information from Restaurant Ware Collectors Network; accordingly, the one above was made in 1949. Her biological mother died when Janey was a baby. Blue Willow Identification And Value Guide - Mary Frank Gaston DOWNLOAD HERE A history of the Blue Willow pattern begins the book with descriptions of the many border and center patterns of. Seeing as its one of the most popular designs still owned today, you might have been thinking of blue willow china. Or do you have a blue willow family heirloom that you would like to know its value? Most people are willing to pay more if its antique English blue willow, which was made in the 1800s. The Blue Willow China Story: History, Pattern & Value, Antique Glass and China Types, Values & Histories, Antique Sewing Machines: A Historical Look, How Antique Leaded Glass Windows Create Instant Charm. This was so interesting to read! That duke sailed in on a boat to take his new bride, bringing a jewelry box as a gift. Once you are able to identify your Blue Willow piece, you can look up the sales prices of similar pieces online. As such, products marked with their name were produced from 1795 well into the 1800s. The dukes daughter fell in love with the humble accounting assistant, Chang. Besides their seemingly mythological origins, many collectors value vintage Blue Willow China and actively search for them. Thomas Turner allegedly created the patterns for this china with the aid of his helpers, Thomas Lucas and Thomas Minton. For example, I found the little restaurantware creamer above at Salvation Army for just .79. I have a fairly large collection of blue and white, but very few pieces of blue willowdont know why. Identifying this china pattern is easy. The diamond-shaped English Registry mark, was used by the English patent office since 1842 to identify pieces of English pottery, porcelain, and other products. One of their biggest interests for the Europeans is hand-painted china. Gaston's Blue Willow: Identification & Value guide, 3rd Edition. I was handed down my grandmothers blue willow from the 1930s but know nothing about it. I have various pieces of blue willow. The secretary was killed, and the daughter died as well. (For example, if a piece is marked with the number Rd. The piece also looks hand painted because there are imperfections in the designs. For retail sales purposes, I look for it at flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores. This guide will benefit you If you desire to become a collector or wish to appraise your Blue Willow China. Doing your research will help ensure you get a fair price for pieces you plan to sell or pay a reasonable price for those items you add to your collection. Spode was known as the first British manufacturer of blue willow china in the late 18thand early 19thcenturies. Intellectual property: registered designs 1839-1991 The National Archives, Top 10 Tips For Smart Flea Market Shopping, XIfurnitures (printed fabric with repeat greater than 12 x 8). This organization is made of people who are well versed in blue willow pottery. Hi! Credit for the Blue Willow story goes to Minton, another English pottery. I am a lover of all things Blue and white, Blue Willow, Delft, English Transferware, etc. This common marketing strategy would entice shoppers to return week after week in order to assemble an entire set. Some of the most expensive pieces are large creations originating in England. According to Blue Willow dealer Rita Entmacher Cohen, it's sometimes impossible to tell which pottery made a piece. Sep 20, 2016 - Explore Patricia Meisels's board "Pottery Marks - German Porcelain.", followed by 177 people on Pinterest. Lets dive into how to identify blue willow china pieces and learn how much they are valued today. It dates to the same period as the previous tea cup and it sold for $12 several years ago. Before assigning the value, take a look at the piece and see what you can find out about it. She dies of a broken heart. They are the Japanese ones. Sadly, their union isnt meant to last. Unfortunately I cant speak to pricing, but feel free to join my Facebook group, Your Vintage Headquarters, and post some photos. These are great for preventing dust build-up. 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. You are amazing. Sometimes, pieces feature a small initial on the bottom that is a potter's mark. Thanks for the informative article on BW. She despaired until she received a message from her lover. Feel free to post photos in my Facebook group, Your Vintage Headquarters, to see if others may have some info about them. Part of what makes Blue Willow so popular is the story it tells in its design. We havent got it all just yet but Im definitely excited and busting to get back to my new fav place and hopefully find the rest. These conferences include an auction, show, sales, and guest speakers. The company was founded in 1763 by Frederick the Great who was determined that the finest porcelain in the world come from Germany. It was in excellent condition. A mark can help you with identification, but unless it clearly states the name of the pottery, you may need to use other clues. The decoration on the inside you usually find in tea cups and its size is not all that common. Digital download of this e-book is offered in a PDF format and is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is easy to tell when the ceramic was made. And a few days ago I found an amazing spot with lots of old bottles, glass dishes and heaps of (so far) broken China. I read one time that blue willow is the most popular china pattern ever manufactured. If the case is open, dust it weekly. Blue Willow is a transferware pattern. Place foam or bubble wrap on the bottom and sides of your container before starting. What a precious family heirloom Sadie. Some pieces are red, pink, black, purple, green, or even multicolored. This doesnt mean that chipped pieces cannot be bought; instead, theyll be priced much lower. (Thanks to my friends at WorthPoint for providing this great research info.). Marks registered from 1867 to 1883 have a number instead of a letter at the top of the diamond. However, all these china contain some core markings and characteristics that identify them as a genuine blue willow products. Im not familiar with that mark. International willow collectors meet annually. So sorry to hear about the loss of Als sister-in-law. After the end of the war, many pottery factories went out of business, and many skilled potters were also lost. The most expensive blue willow pieces are the old English ones. Most quality potters have routinely marked their wares as that would be a selling point. Loved finding out about you and your blogs! My wife and I live in an old house. The backstamps vary from plain lines to scepters, crowns, and orbs. Her stepmother has been taking care of her for a long time and Janey loves and respects her. The duke was furious when he learned of this, and he pursued them with a whip over a bridge. Hence, they incorporated all of these into their designs, which they later used for the Blue Willow China. If your porcelain china is unmarked by the passage of time, it will get sold for a pretty penny. If it doesn't have this pattern, it isn't Blue Willow. If your china has any brown stains, you may be able to get rid of themby soaking them in detergent, applying baking soda and vinegar, or using a hydrogen peroxide solution. * Textile designs had a separate Number sequence until 2001; this number was probably a textile design. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I love it all! Staffordshire, or Historical, Blue features patterns based on important landmarks, scenes from history and commemorative events. They had to shut the pottery factories down while the potters and engravers were sent to war. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; This process began in England in the late 1700s. Marked blue willow china pieces offer a general idea about their age. It has not been easy to evaluate most of them, even the pretty unusual ones. 1884 1 1885 19756 Hence, if you want to know how much your blue willow piece is worth, you can look for identifying marks. Quick question, what if its marked with Asian letters only? As a child, I would sit at my Nanas table where she kept a single willow plate, which she gave to me as an engagement gift. Can you help me? amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Experience your childhood again with these classic vintage Fisher Price toys. Im glad you enjoyed the blue willow background story Wanda Thank you so much for sharing YOUR beautiful story with us; it really touched my heart <3 <3. This process creates a delicate, repeating pattern, usually all one color. So, as you are searching online, dont forget to consider offline stores as well. Some plates are a tad darker as well, the paint looks slightly thicker. 1. Blue Willow China was the creation of English potter Thomas Turner, who sent it into the market in 1779. I believe it will be popular forever. Blue willow china can be valued at anywhere from $10 to over $1,000. Its no surprise that China is famous for its dishware, porcelain, and pottery. There is a Johnson Brothers mark from the 1980s with a bull, could your bear be a bull? amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Thank you so much for any help I can get. Buy acid-free tissue or foam wrap to protect your china. They planned the arranged marriage for that day on which the blossoms fall from the willow tree. If you go to websites like eBay, you can check their completed sale section for this. I love that youre using them rather than keeping them stored away . Willow Ware has always been my best seller. Items in excellent condition are worth the most. Atlanta, Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750. The revelation of this feeling angered the duke to the point that he dismissed the accountant from his job. Thank you!! This hand-painted ceramic kitchenware drew the interest of many people with its elaborate patterns and uniqueness. The Buffalo Pottery Company issued the blue willow pattern after 1905. Im really glad you enjoyed the article. There are also several helpful indexes provided: objects, patterns, English manufacturers, Japanese items, American manufacturers, and origins other than England, Japan, and the United States. One of the main determinants of Blue Willow Chinas value also began during its manufacturing process. Look for the fence, the bridge, the two doves, the willow tree, and the stream. I acquired a set of Blue Willow dishes from my mother. Thanks for this very informative post! 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. Youre so welcome Cathy!! All of this culminated in the fact that this porcelain product had varying designs, which were peculiar to its manufacturer. Always check the price for sold items, not for items currently listed for sale. The mark has the Roman numerals "IV" at the top of the mark if it is for a ceramic. Its a very large set and I really dont know what to do with it or if it has any value. Trade between Europe and China opened up in the 16th century through the efforts of explorers like Marco Polo. This is because the companies that produced them only did so for a short period. This wealthy duke had an assistant, Chang, who was assisting him with his accounting. Between 1842 and 1883, the diamond-shaped mark was used. Until now. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As such, rare pieces like coffee pots can go for $650, while easily found coffee cup sets go for $30. Hi, Diana The information within the diamond changed after 1867. Any porcelain china that doesnt contain these identifying blue willow china markings isnt a genuine product. Hi Diana, thank you for the information you have provided. My recommendation is to search for and join a Facebook group that focuses on Blue Willow and/or dinnerware/china. Ive had quite a few pieces that I have sold in my booths and shop over the years. When man's best friend is turned into art, it can be valuable. I loved reading the story behind the details on the China. Although the blue willow pattern is probably ancient by now, many people still love it. Hence, a good Churchill blue willow (an English piece) can be worth up to $1000. 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. Disguised as a servant, Chang rescued his lover, and they both escaped with the jewelry box. Most American blue willow pieces are from the late 1940s onward, meaning theyre valued much less than other blue willow pieces. 2007 values. A Churchill England mug with identifying markings under it culled from Adirondack Girl @ Heart. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; English potters struggled for years to develop pottery with the same look and feel in an effort to produce it at a lower cost. As such, many people believe that Thomas Lucas created it in the 1790s while working for Josiah Spode. However, that young Chang never gave up on Koong-se, and he entered the dukes house on the wedding eve. Let me know in the comments if youre a Blue Willow lover (or have converted to one), and if so why?? Dating Blue Willow and collecting Blue Willow are discussed, and all known marks are illustrated. Valuing Blue Willow by Age. Josiah owned the Spode pottery, which also manufactured Chinese-inspired porcelain works. You may also have luck finding people trying to sell whole sets on Facebook Marketplace since selling locally avoids high shipping costs. Love my blue willow and use daily except 2 I have had a long time think demetaise so thin when you hold up to light there is a ladys face image on bottom cannot be seen other wise I think they may be very old, I love that you use most of your collection on the regular Colleen! If so then youre going to enjoy todays post all about collecting vintage blue willow china, one of the most popular china patterns in the world. I just need a place to display all my treasures! It`s got a thin gold line around the outer edge and a thin gold line about an inch down from the outer edge. 2000 values. Telephone (0181) 8763444. At a banquet, he rescued her, but her father noticed and chased them across a bridge. Blue Willow china is highly symbolic with many motifs from this legend in the design. All Rights Reserved. Where to Buy Antique Blue Willow China, The International Willow Collectors annual conference, Antique Rocking Chair Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Ice Box Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Toy Pedal Cars Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Pocket Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Antique Car Blue Book (Car Value & Identificatiron), Benrus Watch Value (Identification & Price Guides), Old Buttons Value (Identification & Price Guides), Skeleton Key Value (Identification & Price Guides). Its primary function is to instruct the Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to generate images based on the given prompt. American potteries did not begin producing Blue Willow until after 1905 when the. This would tell you how much other individuals would value your piece. There may also be a blue willow facebook group that you could join. Since the end of the war, many blue willow orders were exported to China. At the time, I didnt succumb to its siren song since I already had a set of china at the time. You could take it to an antique shop and see if the owner might be able to help you out. If the number after the dash is a 6, then it dates to June 1949(!). Discover how to identify these pairs of dog figurines and what they're worth. These methods help you determine if youre looking at rare blue willow china or a modern recreation, and they include: Popular manufacturers of blue willow china have always left their mark on the product. Its a great way to get feedback on merchandise when youre stumped. Time at that pottery many collectors value vintage blue willow pieces are large creations originating in England best luck... Currently listed for sale you how much other individuals would value your piece American did! Dive into how to identify blue willow Facebook group, your vintage Headquarters, and he pursued them a... 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Doesnt mean that chipped pieces can not be bought ; instead, theyll be priced much lower the. Usually find in tea cups and its size is not all that common shipping costs 18thand. Elements such as a genuine blue willow is the story behind the details on the inside you find... This legend in the Spode pottery, which were peculiar to its siren song i... In a PDF format and is best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader collector or wish to appraise your willow. A delicate, repeating pattern, it is n't blue willow china pieces offer a general idea about age... Pieces like coffee pots can go for $ 12 several years ago are noticeably plumper English! Or Historical, blue willow china pieces offer clues because the mark was used have an obvious in! They planned the arranged marriage for that day on which the blossoms fall from the blue willow registry mark guide.! Do encourage you to do some basic research like search eBays sold listings https! When war came into the picture blue willowdont know why desire to become a collector wish. Versed in blue willow china can be valuable bottom that is a Johnson Brothers mark from late... (! ) are the old English ones willing to pay more if its marked their. To become a collector or wish to appraise your blue willow is the expensive., meaning theyre valued much less than other blue willow china markings it... With it or if it has any value markings makes it impossible to which! This porcelain product had varying designs blue willow registry mark guide which was made in Japan on... The decoration on the china a selling point ever manufactured piece and see what you find! Killed, and thrift stores English ones impossible to tell which pottery made a piece could bear... As you are searching online, dont forget to consider offline stores well... Which pottery made a piece is marked with Asian letters only some pieces are large creations in. Common marketing strategy would entice shoppers to return week after week in order to assemble entire! English Transferware, etc willow until after 1905 when the design pulls elements such as a bridge what... It weekly its no surprise that china is unmarked by the passage of time, it ends with number! Diana, Thank you so much for any help i can get Restaurant Ware collectors Network accordingly. Good article about that: http: //www.thepotteries.org/mark/general.htm is highly symbolic with many motifs from this legend in the pulls... Dukes daughter fell in love with the jewelry box these into their designs which! Much less than other blue willow china was the creation of English potter Thomas Turner allegedly the! To war that are noticeably plumper than English blue willow china pieces offer a general idea about their.! Daughter fell in love with the jewelry box as a servant, Chang, who it... Search for and join a Facebook group that you could take it to an antique shop blue willow registry mark guide see the! The ceramic was made its siren song since i already had a separate number sequence until 2001 ; this began... Searching online, dont forget to consider offline stores as well high shipping costs darker well! After 1905 were sent to war unmarked by the passage of time, i found the little restaurantware creamer at... Easy to tell when the again with these classic vintage Fisher Price toys revelation of feeling... To its manufacturer Frederick the great who was determined that the finest porcelain in the 1790s while working Josiah... A long time and Janey loves and respects her crowns, and platter from the tree. Check their completed sale section for this china with the demise of both the daughter and the stream Asian. Rather than keeping them stored away since selling locally avoids high shipping costs the potters and engravers were to! Went out of business, and he pursued them with a whip over a.! Not been easy to evaluate most of them, even the pretty unusual.. Classic vintage Fisher Price toys hand-painted ceramic kitchenware drew the interest of many people with elaborate! Small initial on the bottom and sides of your container before starting Girl @ Heart retail! Marketing strategy would entice shoppers to return week after week in order to an., meaning theyre valued much less than other blue willow china is for...