Antique China

Victorian Majolica

Suzannetique — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:58:00 GMT

Victorians have the reputation for humorlessness and a duty above all, but their choice of pottery and dishes displayed a strong sense of irony and downright whimsy!

Good Times in England

In 1851, England was at the height of its commercial and political power. It was said proudly that the sun never set on the British Empire because the lands and peoples they controlled spread to every corner of the globe. Britain controlled the world's ship building, banking and transportation industries. The economy was booming, the middle class was growing, and a popular monarch sat on the throne. Trust in England's great institutions was at an all time high including a love of hearth and home as demonstrated by head Victorians, Queen Vic and her beloved Prince Albert.

Majolica by Minton for a Prosperous Middle Class

Into this happy mix of peace and prosperity, Herbert Minton introduced the British public to majolica at The Crystal Palace Exhibition of the Great Exposition of the Works of Industry of all Nations in 1851. Within a few years, the brilliantly glazed ware had become immensely popular, designed in a variety of wild configurations to appeal to Victorian sensibilities, which seemed to state that not only is less not more, less is not nearly enough.

Those Wacky Victorians

Victorian design philosophy held that the function of a decorative piece was first to attract the eye. After that, it could be acknowledged as useful. If form didn't follow function, then decoration did, hence the plethora of cheese keepers with complacent cows, and game pie dishes with quail finials.

After years of dinnerware in blue & white, plain white ironstone and creamware, Victorian housewives clamored for the brightly colored and wildly decorated dinnerware and accessories. For those that couldn't afford fine porcelain, majolica filled the bill. Anyone who supposes that Victorians were lacking in humor hasn't seen Victorian Majolica., featuring vinegar cruets in the shape of sour faced figures, monkey pitchers, fern decorated mugs complete with tiny frogs nesting on the inside, and biscuit jars with happy mice breaking through the sides to get to the contents.

Science Spurred Designs

Advances in scientific study such as botany, zoology horticulture, and marine biology influenced the majolica manufacturers. Subjects were realistically rendered and as knowledge was gained it showed up in the modeling of the plants and animals on the pieces.

Brilliant Colors for Elaborate Interiors

Majolica, with its bright colors and intense surface decoration was exactly the right kind of accessory to complement the elaborate interiors of the Victorian home. It went well with heavily carved furniture, swagged, layered and tasseled draperies, and looked perfect on dining tables with heavily embossed sliver and deeply cut and etched crystal.

Nov. 11, 1918 Haviland & Co. Limoges "The National" pattern

ZakJam — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:05:00 GMT

This china was designed in celebration of the ending of WWI, Nov. 11, 1918. From my great-grandmother, I have in still excellent condition: 2 cups, 2 saucers, 6 bread & butter plates, 1 salad plate, 3 dinner plates, and 1 16-inch oval platter. I cannot seem to find anyone who knows what these pieces are worth. I found one covered vegetable bowl, on the Internet, value $185.00, but beyond that, I have found nothing. In ten more years, when these pieces reach 100 years of age, they should be worth a LOT. Does ANYONE know anything about this china? Please help by contacting me at: GailaZack@aol.com! The pieces I have are FOR SALE! Thank you.

Blue & White Transferware Dishes

Suzannetique — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:47:00 GMT

In the mid 1750’s, the Worcester factory in England brought a version of the enormously popular blue and white dinnerware to the middle classes through a method of transfer printing elaborate and intricate patterns onto unglazed pottery bodies.

In this process, a flat copper plate is engraved with the desired pattern. The copper plate is inked, and pressed, or transferred, to a fine sheet of tissue paper that is applied to the ceramic form. The piece is fired at a low temperature which fused the ink onto the body. A final clear glaze is applied, and the items is fired a second time at a higher temperature. The copper plates were reused, and intricately patterned wares were produced in a fraction of the time and cost of their hand decorated counterparts.

Early Blue & White Transferware

The earliest blue and white ware depicted subjects of the mysterious Orient. Most famous of all Chinese influenced patterns was the Blue Willow, a pattern that was copied and produced by hundreds of potteries, including those in Staffordshire. Supposedly based on an ancient fable concerning doomed lovers Koon-see and Chang, who, while fleeing their oppressors, are turned into doves, the pattern was actually developed in Britain. It is unclear who made the first Blue Willow pattern. Experts disagree, some attributing the pattern to Spode, others to Thomas Minton for Caughley.

Transferware for Americans

By 1830, British manufacturers were producing dinnerware strictly for export to the US, and had created designs exclusively for the American Market. The decorations on American dinner service included portraits of heroic Americans such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin. American buildings often graced the pottery along with scenes such as railroads and steamships.

Values of Transferware

The most valuable transferware was manufactured before the 20^th century, with the exception of colonial era plates, which can still be found within the $100-200 range, the best examples are hard to find except in museums and private collections. Twentieth century transferware, however, is still plentiful and depending on condition, subject, and manufacturer, available in a wide range of prices. A dinner plate can range in value from between $100-250. The most expensive pieces of any era are the oversized platters, and serving pieces and pitchers. These can fetch prices into the low thousands.

The Confusing History of Staffordshire Figurines

Suzannetique — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:18:00 GMT

Staffordshire is the umbrella name for over 1500 potteries that have produced ceramic ware for hundreds of years. The pottery has been so highly popular for so many years, that some of the early forgeries are almost a century old. Between forged marks, confusing marks, and non-existent marks, valuations of this type of pottery are best left to experts, and even they don’t always agree!

The name Staffordshire refers to a county in north central England that was and is the center of the British pottery industry beginning in the late 13^th century and continuing to this day. In 1910, Stoke-on-Trent the major city in Staffordshire was formed through the incorporation of six villages-Hanley, Burslem, Longton, Stoke, Tunstall and Fenton.

Major potteries in operation in 21^st century Staffordshire include The Wedgwood Group (Wm Johnson Brothers, Coalport, Mason’s Ironstone, and Meakin), The Royal Doulton Company (Royal Doulton, Beswick, Minton, and Royal Albert), Spode, Moorcroft, Portmeirion, and Johnson Tiles.

Staffordshire figurines became popular in the 19^th century. The growing English middle class wanted less costly examples of the Derby and Chelsea porcelains that adorned the mantelpieces of the aristocracy, and hundreds of Staffordshire potteries were happy to comply. Staffordshire figurines were produced by the thousands by both companies and individual potters.

Porcelain Item?

LuckyAnn — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Hi,

I put on a picture of a porcelain item that I know is about 50 years old. It looks like a "Nettie Pot" or a small Alladin Lamp. I haven't heard from anyone and am wondering if there is anyone out there who might know what it is.

Thanks

Lucretia

Teapots

Suzannetique — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:38:00 GMT

Brief History of Tea Drinking

Legend has it that an early Emperor of China accidentally discovered tea as a tasty beverage when some tea leaves blew into the hot water he was drinking. Tea was introduced in London as a health beverage in the mid-1600’s, and became popular during the reign of Charles II (1630-1685). At over $100 per pound, tea was a luxury enjoyed by only the wealthiest including the Duchess of Bedford, who introduced the English to the afternoon tea drinking ritual in about 1840.

Teapots & Tea Related Items

Due to the overwhelming popularity of tea throughout the world, a large area of collectibles has grown up around the tea ritual. Collectors look for teapots, tea cosies, tea cups, tea spoons, and tea caddies (containers in which tea was kept fresh and away from the servants). Teapots come in a variety of materials including porcelain, pottery brass, silver, enamelware, chrome, aluminum, jade and more.

Dating Teapots

The earliest teapots were small, holding only two cups of the expensive beverage. Experienced collectors can date them based on shape as well as size, as the teapots became larger as the drink became less expensive.

Collectible Teapots

Collectors look for unusual teapots in attractive and fanciful shapes. The Victorians made teapots in the form of people or animals or both together. These figurals, especially Victorian Majolica examples are very popular. Earlier transferware teapots are also collectible, but these often have condition problems and seem to bring lower prices. Silver teapots are probably the top tier of the teapot trade, and those made by an established make can go for thousands.

Teapot Values

Values are highest where teapots have crossover appeal, meaning that they are sought by more than one category of collector, for example a collector of Tiffany silver would probably have a few teapots, as would a collector of Hull or McCoy or other pottery.

As with almost every collectible, value depends on condition, however, in the case of teapots, a few small blemishes seem more acceptable than with other collectibles, but only on some areas, for example, the rim of the teapot, where the lid sits on the body. Some collectors find rim chip acceptable especially since they don’t show when the lid is in place. Spouts are extremely vulnerable and subject to chipping during use. Teapots with chipped spouts are less desirable, as are ones with missing lids.

Older pottery teapots are subject to crazing-the fine crackles that occur because the body of the pottery and the glaze dried at a different rate. Crazing becomes more obvious as the piece ages, and if the pot was use frequently, the tannin from the tea stains the inside. This crazing and staining also lowers value

Porcelain - do-dad? Help. I am not sure what it is

LuckyAnn — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:52:00 GMT

Hi,

I am registered under LuckyAnn and I have two items posted that I would like to know what are? They are porcelain and look kind of like an aladdin lamp. I put a picture with them. Would sure appreciate any feedback on these unusual items.

Thanks

Authentic Vintage American Cookie Jar

Suzannetique — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:13:00 GMT

No cookie jar collection is complete without examples from these major American manufacturers; however, due to the popularity of cookie jars, there are lots of fakes and forgeries out there. Before you buy (or sell) make sure you know if you have the real thing.

Cookie Jar Collector Books-Excellent Reference Tools

Obviously, if you’ve been swiping cookies out of your mother’s Shawnee Smiley Pig cookie jar ever since you had to climb up on the counter to reach it, you can be certain it’s the real thing, but a quick trip to your local library to check out the collectors guides will be time well spent if you’re thinking of buying, especially from an online dealer. A word about values in collector books-these tend to be high, theoretically, these are the prices you can expect to pay if you are buying, not the prices you will receive when selling.

Frequently, collector books are written at the peak of an items’ popularity and reflect the height of the market. Also, check the date the book was published. Pre-eBay books reflect the value of items before the market was flooded with them. For cookie jars, as with many collectibles, prices for commonly found and less than mint examples are down, but remain strong for the truly rare, desirable and verifiable examples.

Beware of Fakes Online

Don’t be fooled by the presence of a manufacturer’s mark. If your reference book says the piece is unmarked, a stamped version could well be fake. According to The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Cookie Jars by Roerig and McCoy Pottery Collector’s Reference and Value Guide by Hansen & Nelson, the McCoy Leprechaun cookie jar was made in very limited quantities and was unmarked, yet an eBay seller is offering a leprechaun jar with a McCoy stamp.

Pay close attention to descriptions in collector books, including size and manufacturers marks. Ebay in particular has been flooded with recent copies of McCoy cookie jars designed to pass as vintage. Here are some basics about some of the major American manufacturers:

Abingdon

Abingdon-Abingdon Illinois (1934-1950). Twenty two different models were produced, and most have an inked backstamp that says “Abingdon USA” with an impressed mold or model number. Abingdon cookie jars were decorated before firing. Oswald the Hippo is one of the most popular, and goes for between $200-400.

American Bisque

Williamstown, West Virginia (1919-1983). Owned by one family-the Allens from 1922-1982. Most American Bisque cookie jars were unmarked, or marked only “USA” with or without a mold or model number. American Bisque jars were made mostly in the form of people, cartoon characters, and animals. An American Bisque Olive Oyl cookie jar can bring as much as $1,000. And my grandmother’s Cookie Truck . . . priceless!

Brush Pottery

Brush is credited with the first cookie jar ever produced, made out of an existing mold in a simple form. Brush made cookie jars from 1946-1971. Brush jars are decorated before glazing. Some are unmarked, but some are marked “Brush USA”. Pieces marked with a “W” were decorated by either of the twin brothers Don & Ross Winton and these are probably the most eagerly sought of the Brush cookie jars, as is Hillbilly Frog (1969). Their purple cow is highly sought after, and can sell for between $750-1,000, but buy carefully, as it has been reproduced.

California Originals

Torrence, California (1940’s-1982) California Originals produced cookie jars of licensed characters by Walt Disney, DC Comics, Walter Lanz and Jim Henson’s Muppets, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Woody Woodpecker, Oscar the Grouch, Laurel & Hardy, and W.C. Fields, and various Star Wars characters. Character pieces are marked “copyright + date” other pieces are marked on lid or base “USA” with mold or model numbers, still others had paper labels that said “California Originals.” Older cookie jars were decorated with cold paint. Newer or common older versions sell for $30-50.

Doranne of California

Produced cookie jars from 1951 till 1992. Their cookie jars are marked with the model number preceded with “J” or “CJ” and USA. Common examples bring between $25-30, but their Cow Jumping over the Moon model brings in the hundreds in excellent condition.

Hull

A.E. Hull (1905-1986) of Crooksville, Ohio is probably best known for its Little Red Riding Hood Series, which was patented, and enormously popular in its cookie jar form. Authentic Hull cookie jars are marked Hull USA, Hull Ware USA, Hull Art, or Hull Oven Proof USA. The Little Red Riding Hood jar has been reproduced, and appears on eBay with a McCoy stamp, but authentic Hull LRRH cookie jars should bring between $100-350. Hull also produced a Big Bad Wolf jar for the series, but it is unmarked. An authentic wolf jar can fetch $400 or more.

McCoy

The McCoy family made pottery from 1899 to 1990 under a variety of McCoy names, and in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s produced an almost overwhelming selection of cookie jars. Because they made so many, and were so popular, they are readily available and easily affordable, with the common ones like strawberries or animals bringing $25-$30. Their Mammy series is popular today and has been reproduced and faked. Authentic Mammy jars were decorated in cold paint which did not wear well. Be suspicious of buying “vintage” jars in excellent condition. Unfortunately, the profusion of fakes has affected the selling market as buyers are leery. Values can be as high as $1000 for the Leprechaun and the astronaut, as they were produced in very limited quantities, but as mentioned earlier, the leprechaun has been reproduced in a way intended to fool the unwary buyer.

Metlox

Metlox (1927-1989) of Manhatten Beach California also produced cookie jars under the name of Poppy Trails of California. These are marked Poppy Trail, Calif, but many had paper labels. Metlox jars are also mostly unmarked, or marked “made in USA”

Robinson Ransbottom

Robinson Ransbottom was the last of the Ohio potteries to remain open, closing their Roseville plant only recently after more than 100 years in the pottery business. Their cookie jars often confuse, as the bottoms are marked RRP Co Roseville Ohio, so buyers and sellers assume they are Roseville Pottery products Although mostly known for utilitarian stoneware and crocks, their cookie jars are popular. Common examples sell fro around $100, but Frosty the Snowman and the Whale jar can fetch for between $500-800.

Roseville

This Roseville, Ohio pottery produced only 5 cookie jars, none of which were figurals, and those are highly sought after due to crossover appeal, as Roseville is one of the most popular of collectible American art pottery. Their cookie jars were part of a line of products in the Freesia, Magnolia, Water Lilly, Zephyr Lilly, or Clematis lines, and bring between $200-500.

Shawnee

Named for the Native American tribe, Shawnee Pottery (1937-1961) was located in Zanesville, Ohio. Shawnee produced pottery for George Rumrill, a designer from Arkansas, and also produced ware under the name of Great Northern, Kenwood, and Essex China. Shawnee products are stamped with these names or marked “Shawnee USA.” Smiley Pig was by far Shawnee’s most popular model, and because it has been so widely reproduced and faked, values are down.

Fabulous Fiestaware

Suzannetique — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:47:00 GMT

A Party on Your Dinner Table Since 1936

In 1936, the Homer Laughlin China Company, like every other manufacturer in America, was desperate for a new product that would generate sales during the difficult financial times of the Depression. With help the talented Frederick Hurton Rhead (head of design from 1928-42), The Homer Laughlin Company found their answer in Fiestaware.

Inexpensive Dishes Featured Bold Forms & Bright Colors

Fiestaware dishes combined simple yet bold forms in bright colors, and were an almost immediate success. Originally produced in five colors: red (which was actually more of an orange) yellow, cobalt, light green, and ivory. Turquoise was added one year into production. The original palate was referred to as “Old Mexico Colors” that were very much in style in California and other western states, but Fiesta made them popular in the rest of the country as well.

Dishes from the Art Deco Era

The dishes were architectural in form and drew heavily from the visual vocabulary of Art Moderne and Art Deco streamlining- concentric circles, horizontal and vertical ribs and banding combined with simple geometric forms, especially circles. The simple, bold forms were glazed in single bright colors, and because the aesthetic appeal depended on form and color rather than expensive and time consuming hand decorating, the dishes were inexpensive to produce. The mass-produced pottery was sold ant the Five & Dime, and was considered inexpensive, even during the Depression.

Festive & Flexible Fiestaware

The six color ways went well together, and made mixing and matching on the table possible; each place setting could be a different color, or a home maker might mix the colors within a place setting. The dishes could be one color and the accessories another. A pitcher could be cobalt and the tumblers red, or each tumbler could be a different color. Consumers loved the infinite possibilities.

Fiestaware was so popular that it was produced until 1973. In 1959, new colors- forest green, rose, chartreuse, medium grey, and medium green were added. Production ended temporarily in ’73, but styles cycled back, as styles are apt to do. In 1986, and Homer Laughlin reintroduced Fiestaware, and it is still in production today.

Collectible Fiestaware

Fiesta collectors look for early examples (pre-1969), especially of accessories and serving pieces. Since a set of dishes might have 8 dinner plates but only 2 serving bowls, the bowls are harder to find, and therefore more valuable. Colectors love the vases, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, tea pots, coffee pots, candle holders, gravy boats and mixing bowls.

Pieces such as covered butters, tea & coffee pots, and casseroles with intact covers are desirable because the lids frequently were broken, as are the tumblers that rarely survived the tentative grasp of clumsy children. As is the case with all collectible potterey, the most valuable pieces will be free of chips, cracks and crazing, although some allowances are made for hard to find pieces in rare colors

New

katquimby — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:08:00 GMT

Hi, I am new to this site as of today, and don't really know how to navigate it. I did not realize this was another selling forum, or that it had links to selling. I was looking for appraisels for My Antiques, and Maybe some advice on how to make some money for what I have. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Collector Plates-Royal Cornwall Legendary Ships of the Seas

mikmks1 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:24:00 GMT

What is the value and where can I sell? I have a 10 piece set of collector plates painted by well renowned artist Alan D'Estrehan. In the early 1980's, Royal Cornwall, Ltd. commissioned D'Estrehan to create the paintings for the series Legendary Ships of the Seas. D'Estrahan has spent over two years researching every detail for this, his first-ever series of collector's plates. Each plate is 9 1/4" in diameter and is rimmed in gleaming 24K Gold (hand applied). Each plate is also hand numbered as number 5,345 of only 19,500 produced. Each plate bears the same number, thus forming a perfectly matched, one of a kind set.

Each plate has been lovingly cared for and has the original box and packing, Certificate of Authenticity, brochure describing the ship, and plate hanger. Also, the original 12 page color booklet introducing the series is included. There are no chips, cracks or crackling on these plates.

Mr. Estrehan died in the late 1980's which makes this collection even more valuable. This set is registered to my father-in-law and he originally paid $49.50 for each plate. He is down-sizing and does not have room to display the collection. The following plates are included in the series:

The Flying Dutchman
The Refanu
The Rescue
The Foochow Sea Junk
The Frigorifique
The Copenhagen
The Pride
The Roth Ramhach
The Gaspe Bay
The Palatine

This is a very valuable 10 piece set for the collector! Individual plates from this series are selling on collector and antique websites for $69 per plate and higher. What is the value and where can I sell?

How to Collect Blue China Dishes : Resale Value & Using Collectible China

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Below is a video from Expert Village about how the value of Blue China Dishes is determined. Watch and Learn!

The art of collecting Egg Cups

daltounian2007 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:44:00 GMT

I frequently get asked about (then teased about) my hobby of collecting egg cups. Egg Cups, for those that don't know, are small cups that hold soft boiled eggs. The egg sits in the cup and the top of the egg is cut off so that an egg spoon can be used to get to the soft cooked egg inside. In England people cut strips of toast, called 'soldiers' to dip into the egg yolk.

Some of the egg cups and rings are works of art. Egg cups have been around for many years, I have one from the late 1700s. The collecting of Egg Cups is called Pocillovy (yes it has a name). Check out my collection online!