Antiques — Isn’t it Romantic… The Dreamy Art of Staffordshire Transfers

Transfer printing on ceramics, a technique we usually associate with English Staffordshire pottery, was actually the invention of an Irishman. On Sept. 10, 1751, John Brooks, an Irish engraver, applied for a patent for the printing on ceramics and enamels. By 1756, one Staffordshire potter reported that his factory was able to print “upwards of twelve hundred earthenware tiles in six hours.”
Those first transfers were overglaze and, with frequent use, often wore off in spots. Many of these decorations were simple black and white etchings, sometimes referred to as BAT prints, the letters standing for a French printing term meaning good to print or artist-approved. Printing under glaze would not begin until the 1760s.
By 1780s Staffordshire potters were producing very dark blue under glaze scenes on earthenware in Chinese-style designs. The most famous of these would be a “Willow” pattern, meant to compete with the influx of Chinese blue and white porcelain flooding Europe at the time.
The romantic designs on Staffordshire pottery include scenes of foreign and exotic places, rural and pastoral scenes, nostalgic scenes of domestic bliss, Gothic castles, gardens and landscapes, sporting scenes, and dense decorations of birds, animals, fruits and flowers.
The titles of these scenes, often printed on the underside of the dishes, indicate just what kind of Romantic escapism was the taste of the day — Andalusia, Caledonia, Athens, Palestine, Persia, Spanish Convent, Cyprus, Bird of Paradise, Gypsies, Sheltered Peasants, Italian Buildings, Boy Piping, Botanical Beauties, Asiatic Plants, etc.
Romantic Staffordshire transfers were produced on earthenware up until the 1830s, on stoneware up through the early 1850s, and then on semi-porcelain after that. Scenes were produced in various shades of blue, green, pink, lavender, mulberry (a gray-red-brown), brown, black, and in various polychrome combinations.
Appraisals: Prices for ordinary dinner plates in Romantic Staffordshire transfer ware will vary with age and rarity, and range from about $50 to $225. The old dark blue earthenware pieces are the most expensive. Blue pieces in general get a premium, especially the very blurry flow blue scenes.
Large platters, teapots, tureens, casseroles, spill bowls, and cream and sugar sets are very desirable, as are any unusual pieces like foot baths, wash sets, punch bowls, etc.
For a fraction of the cost, you can find 20th Century Staffordshire scenic ware from companies like Johnson Brothers, and others. Pieces marked England will be from the early part of the century, while those marked “Made in England” will be from after 1921.
A wonderful and informative book on Staffordshire transfer wares is Jeffrey Snyder’s “Romantic Staffordshire Ceramics” (Schiffer). It’s beautifully illustrated, and easy to follow.
Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions and appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.