How To Identify Antique Blue Willow China #bluewillow

Vintage Farmhouse Antiques
17 Jul 202421:05

TLDRIn this informative video, viewers learn how to identify antique Blue Willow China by examining various design elements, shapes, and marks on three different platters. Expert tips include using Google Lens to match patterns and manufacturer's marks to determine production dates and value. The video concludes with the real-world valuation of each platter, revealing the significance of condition, rarity, and manufacturer in their worth.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 Identifying Blue Willow China involves examining subtle differences in design, shape, and elements included in the transfer prints.
  • 🔎 The first step in assessing a piece is to turn it over and look for China marks, stamp marks, and other identifying features.
  • 👑 Impressed Crown marks and numbers can indicate the age and production sequence of the platters.
  • 🖌️ Different factories used unique stamps and marks that changed over time, which can help identify the manufacturer and production period.
  • 📱 Using tools like Google Lens can assist in matching China marks and identifying manufacturers based on initials and other details.
  • 💡 Variations in design elements, such as the shape of birds, temple blocks, and trees, can provide clues to the origin and date of the piece.
  • 🏺 Weight, color of the glaze, and inclusions in the ironstone can also help determine the age and production location of the platters.
  • 📜 Researching specific marks and features online can lead to identifying the correct manufacturer and date range, even for unmarked pieces.
  • 🖼️ The three platters analyzed were from different manufacturers: Samuel Baker and Sons, Thomas Fell, and a piece attributed to Staffordshire.
  • 💰 The value of the platters varies based on rarity, condition, and historical significance, with prices ranging from £150 to £650.

Q & A

  • What is the main objective of the video?

    -The main objective of the video is to show techniques and tricks used by antique appraisers and dealers to identify the date range and production facility of Blue Willow china, as well as to reveal the real-world value of three antique Blue Willow platters.

  • What is the first step most people take in assessing a piece of Ironstone china?

    -The first step most people take is turning the piece over to look for china marks or stamp marks on the reverse side.

  • How can Google Lens be useful in identifying china marks?

    -Google Lens can be used to find a match for china marks by taking a picture of the mark, which can help identify the manufacturer and date of production.

  • What significant detail was found on platter number one?

    -On platter number one, a partially impressed crown mark and the number 11 were found, indicating it might be part of a graduated set.

  • What information can be derived from a china stamp or mark?

    -China stamps or marks can be incredibly useful in identifying the manufacturer and the period of production, as they often change due to legislation on imports, exports, and taxation.

  • Who produced the platter with the mark 'SB&S'?

    -The platter with the 'SB&S' mark was produced by Samuel Baker and Sons from the Dawn Pottery in Yorkshire between 1839 and 1848.

  • What characteristics helped identify the platter with the partially impressed crown mark?

    -The characteristics included the weight of the platter, the partial impressed crown mark, and research into mid-Victorian period potteries using similar marks, leading to the identification of Thomas Fell's Newcastle Pottery, operating between 1869 and 1890.

  • What is a key difference in identifying features between the platters?

    -Key differences include variations in the design elements such as birds, temples, trees, and other pattern details, as well as the color and quality of the glaze used.

  • How can the wear on the base plates of old platters be significant?

    -The wear on the base plates can indicate the age of the platter, as older pieces are likely to have more pronounced wear. This wear can be faked on modern pieces but is usually distinguishable from genuine wear.

  • What was the most valuable platter and why?

    -The most valuable platter was the Thomas Fell Newcastle piece, worth between £400 and £650, due to its rarity, fine condition, and substantial weight indicating its production in the 1860s.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Identifying Antique Blue Willow Patterns

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on identifying Blue Willow pattern antiques, specifically three platters that appear similar but have subtle differences. The video aims to show techniques for dating these items and possibly identifying the production facility. It emphasizes the importance of examining the reverse side for marks, which can indicate the manufacturer and production period. The platters are lined up for comparison, highlighting the need to look for wear and other clues in the glaze and design.

05:02

🔎 Uncovering Manufacturer Marks and Production Clues

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of identifying manufacturer marks on the platters, such as the 'SB' mark on the second platter, which is traced back to Samuel Baker and Sons from the Dawn Pottery in Yorkshire, with the mark used between 1839 and 1848. The paragraph also discusses the use of Google Lens for identifying marks and the importance of considering the color and texture of the glaze, as well as wear patterns, as indicators of production era and authenticity.

10:02

🎨 Analyzing Design Variations in Blue Willow Patterns

This paragraph explores the variations in the Blue Willow pattern across the three platters, focusing on elements like the love birds, the temple block, and the fairyman. It discusses the differences in the design interpretations, pigment use, and the clarity of print definition, which can help in identifying the manufacturer and dating the pieces. The paragraph also illustrates how stacking the platters can reveal close-up design variations.

15:04

🏺 Matching Pattern Elements to Identify Antique Platter Origins

The fourth paragraph describes the process of using pattern elements to identify the origins of the second unnamed platter. It details the use of Google Lens to match specific design features, such as the bird's wings, the pagoda's blockwork, and the absence of a large tree in the pattern. The goal is to find an exact match online, considering the size and condition of the platter, to determine its manufacturer and production date range.

20:06

💰 Valuing Antique Blue Willow Platters Based on Provenance

The final paragraph concludes the video by revealing the real-world values of the three antique platters. It discusses the factors that affect the value, such as rarity, condition, and manufacturer. The Staffordshire platter is identified as the least valuable due to its commonality and some surface staining, while the Samuel Baker piece from Yorkshire and the Thomas Fell piece from Newcastle are considered rare and valuable, with estimated values provided for each.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Antique Blue Willow China

Antique Blue Willow China refers to a specific type of porcelain that features a traditional blue willow pattern, often associated with Chinese or English ceramics. The term 'antique' indicates that these items are not modern but rather have a history, typically being over 100 years old. In the video, the host discusses techniques for identifying the age and origin of these pieces, emphasizing their value and the subtle differences in their design that can indicate their production era and facility.

💡Appraisers and Dealers

Appraisers and dealers are professionals who evaluate and trade in valuable items, such as antiques. In the context of the video, they possess specialized knowledge and skills to identify the age, authenticity, and value of antique items like Blue Willow China. The script mentions that these experts use certain techniques and tricks to determine the date range and production facility of the china pieces.

💡Platter

A platter is a large, flat dish used for serving food, often found in sets and varying in size. In the video, the host examines three different antique platters, each with unique characteristics that help in determining their history and value. The term is used to describe the specific pieces of Blue Willow China that are being analyzed.

💡China Marks

China marks, also known as stamp marks, are symbols, initials, or logos that pottery manufacturers use to identify their products. They are crucial for dating and attributing the origin of porcelain items. The video script describes how these marks can be used to identify the manufacturer and production period of the Blue Willow platters, with one example being 'SB & S' for Samuel Baker and Sons.

💡Impressed Crown Mark

An impressed crown mark is a type of china mark that features a crown symbol, often used to indicate the origin of the pottery. In the script, the host identifies one of the platters as having a partially impressed crown mark, which, after research, is linked to Thomas Fell's Newcastle Pottery, dating the piece to between 1869 and 1890.

💡Ironstone

Ironstone is a type of ceramic material known for its durability and weight, often used for making dinnerware. The video discusses how the weight and composition of the platters can provide clues about their production, with one platter identified as being made of Ironstone, indicating its substantial weight and potential origin from Newcastle.

💡Transfer Prints

Transfer prints are decorative designs applied to pottery through a process where an image is transferred from paper or other medium onto the ceramic surface. The script mentions that the Blue Willow pattern on the platters is a type of transfer print, which can vary in detail and quality, offering clues to the platters' age and origin.

💡AI and Google Lens

AI, or artificial intelligence, and Google Lens are technologies used in the video to help identify and match china marks and patterns. The host suggests using these tools to find matches for the marks and patterns on the platters, aiding in the identification process. This demonstrates how modern technology can be applied to the traditional field of antique appraisal.

💡Fairyman

In the context of Blue Willow China, the 'Fairyman' refers to a specific figure in the pattern, often depicted as a man with a pole in a boat. The script uses the Fairyman's depiction as one of the elements to compare and identify differences between the platters, highlighting variations in the design that can indicate different manufacturers or production periods.

💡Value

The value of an antique item is determined by factors such as its age, rarity, condition, and demand among collectors. The video concludes with an estimation of the value of each platter, ranging from £100 to £650, based on these factors. The host emphasizes the importance of understanding the elements of the Blue Willow pattern and the condition of the pieces in determining their worth.

Highlights

Techniques and tricks for identifying the date and production facility of Blue Willow China.

Subtle design differences in Blue Willow transfer prints can indicate date range and manufacturer.

Unmarked pieces of china can be dated and valued using specific identifying features.

Importance of examining the reverse of china for China marks and stamps.

Use of Google Lens with AI to match China marks to manufacturers.

Identifying the manufacturer Samuel Baker and Sons from the dawn Pottery in Yorkshire through a mark.

Differentiating between similar Blue Willow patterns by examining bird designs and pigment use.

Comparing the clarity and print definition in pattern elements like the fairyman and temple.

The significance of the white background color in identifying Staffordshire Blue Willow China.

Identifying the manufacturer Thomas Fell from Newcastle through pattern weight and design.

The value of condition and original wire rack in antique Blue Willow platters.

Estimating the real-world value of antique Blue Willow platters based on manufacturer and condition.

The rarity and high value of the Samuel Baker piece due to its condition and rarity.

The process of identifying an unnamed platter as Alin from Staffordshire by pattern elements.

The importance of comparing similar-sized platters when identifying Blue Willow patterns.

The estimated value range for the Alin Staffordshire piece and its commonality.

The high value of the Thomas Fell Newcastle piece due to its condition and rarity.

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