See that blue bowl? Doesn't it look like English transferware?
Playing Mother ~ Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935)From A Very Little Child's Book of Stories
I was recently asked about my green Torquay patterned transferware below. This is a reproduction of an 1820 English pattern on earthenware, trimmed with matte gold. Made in England and available at retail, it's expensive, so I have just a few pieces that have been gifts from my husband. Why do I love this pattern? Torquay is my home town in England. The pattern depicts seashells and seaweeds found along the South Devon coast where I was born. I spent much of my childhood on the beaches hunting for shells and swimming through tangles of seaweeds.
Edited: - For Sherry in answer to her comment. Here is the mark on the back of the dinner plate. This is the green version, it also comes in blue. Here is the link to Replacements Ltd. who carry quite a large stock of both colors.
Many of you are already collecting 'transferware' and probably know much more about its history than I do. A recent article in Country Living found me running to check my few pieces and in doing so I realized I want more.
In the mid-1700s, a new English transfer-printing process meant that patterns could be reproduced inexpensively compared to hand-painted goods coming from China. (Can you believe the stuff that came from China even that far back). Blue was the first color - still the most popular - followed by brown, black, purple,green, red, pink and yellow (the rarest). I like green and now have started collecting some red and pink pieces.
I was recently asked about my green Torquay patterned transferware below. This is a reproduction of an 1820 English pattern on earthenware, trimmed with matte gold. Made in England and available at retail, it's expensive, so I have just a few pieces that have been gifts from my husband. Why do I love this pattern? Torquay is my home town in England. The pattern depicts seashells and seaweeds found along the South Devon coast where I was born. I spent much of my childhood on the beaches hunting for shells and swimming through tangles of seaweeds.Do I use it? Of course - in fact I'm off to make a cup of tea right now as it's teatime.
Edited: - For Sherry in answer to her comment. Here is the mark on the back of the dinner plate. This is the green version, it also comes in blue. Here is the link to Replacements Ltd. who carry quite a large stock of both colors. Below are my red and pink pieces, a mix of styles and makers, and modern reproductions not antiques. These are what I will be hunting down at flea markets and yard sales, and of course I have the great gals at SuzAnna's Antiques looking out for me too.
I don't put sugar in my tea so find this the perfect quote ~
I don't put sugar in my tea so find this the perfect quote ~ 
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Transferware is a wonderful thing to collect and use; France does not have a shortage of such pieces; I have never seen the seashell transferware! It is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love the transferware, most any color ( blue being the favorite), but I also adore artwork by Jesse Wilcox Smith. Such homey scenes.
ReplyDeleteJanet
I believe that Jessie Wilcox Smith was the mother of Humphry Bogart! She drew a lot of children using him as a model!
ReplyDeleteI have been collecting odd pieces of transferware for years, but have never seen your Torquay pattern. I love its Prussian blue, it is perfect with the shells and seaweed. Thank you for showing another picture of it. Could you possibly do a picture of the back? I am in the business of antiques, and I always like to look at the back before studying the front. Google just does not like me, so I am anonymous.
ReplyDeletesherry
Beautiful, beautiful post, beginning with that Jessie Willcox Smith illustration: I love her work! I was interested to read about the process for transferware and cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the people who do the transferring of the pattern to the item, to get it just right....I could never do it!
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are lovely. What really draws me the most, however, are those pitchers on the cover of the book - wow!
Sherry - I've edited this post and added a picture of the mark on the back of the plate. I've also included the link to Replacements Ltd. here in NC where I purchased my pieces. I originally fell in love with the large tureen several years ago - saw it in a shop in Alexandria, VA - but the price of over $600 meant leaving it there for some other lucky person!!
ReplyDeleteI have just found your, blog,(don't like that word much, I am always trying to think of another word to use, but it is,what it is),I loved going threw, I have just started my own. I really did not know all this wonderfulness was out there, until just recently, I have learned so much. You have such a wonderful eye for beauty, well you could have your own magazine and in a since you do. I am also a Victoria Mag. girl and love me copies that go all the way back to the 80's.But, looking at your sight has been just as lovely as my Victoria Mags., so glad they are back in print. I will be back, Amy
ReplyDeleteMary, you have some lovely pieces. I don't have any old transferware, but really love it. I have a few red/white new pieces & some blue/white. I wish I had more space to display it, but I really don't have any extra place available unless I get rid of others that I enjoy too. I may try to find some special pieces when I'm antique hunting out there. It is truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRhoda
I found your blog through a link on "My Romantic Home"
ReplyDeleteyou have some beautiful pieces! I think that black is my favorite, just like in toile, but I don't own any pieces... YET! This has inpsired me... Like to find some of that elusive yellow...;)
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ReplyDeleteMary, thank you, for visiting me, it made me very happy. I had written to you, ran got my baby girl from school, went to the CVS, and came home, started the dishwasher, picked up the living room,ran out and put more food in my bird feeder, started a load in the wash and then aloud myself to check my "heart of the seed". I have to be careful, as it is so much fun. And I really have so much to do, 4 babes and all. They have already started to whisper behind my back. But, really, I think they are getting a kick out of their "ol" Mom learning so much, so quickly.I have to get their help often, I think they like that and often look at me as if I had been living under a rock.Well, I am a bit old fashion and all my jobs were about me painting something, right in front of me. All well!, Amy
ReplyDeleteI love transferware!! I have some brown and reds.
ReplyDeleteI love your green. I would love to have a cup of tea with you.
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary
Transferware is so gorgeous. Your pics are just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for transferware as well, particularly red. I have a few piece of red, but more blue. Love that quote too.
ReplyDeletec
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteJust catching up with your latest posts - wonderful photos. Love the transferware - I've considered collecting it too but I did think "I can't be collecting something else!!" You know how it is!
I've caught up with my blog today. I needed to record Christmas for ourselves so hopefully now I can be back on track.
Hope all is well with you,
Annie x
Hi Mary. You nave lots of lovely colors of transferware! Thanks for the little lesson it. You always have something interesting on your blgo and I like the quote about tea. Rhondi
ReplyDeleteWell I have told said before how I adore that Torquay transferware! It is just such a breathtaking pattern. I have a few transferware pieces and would love more. It is not popular and rarely seen here. I dream of finding some brown transferware one day. You have quite a bit and it is all so beautiful. I agree that we should use what we have and am glad to think you are sipping your tea out of one. And you are a lady after my heart. I too drink my tea (with milk)without sugar.
ReplyDeleteDid I see some Country Diary dishes in your photos?
Hugs ~
Heidi
Beautiful pieces! And you have so many! I don't have any transferware but I often think I'd like to start a collection. I think I'd start with the blue.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your tea!
Donna
I'm trying to catch up with my blogs this evening. We returned from the lake, late this afternoon. What a treat to come here and see this beautiful post, Mary!
ReplyDeleteI love the Fielding quote!
Pat
Fabulous post Mary! I love transferware too - learning about the history was interesting. The Fielding quote is great~ it would be wonderful stencilled on a kitchen wall :-}
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely dishes!
ReplyDeleteI've picked up the Red and the Blue when I find it in the transferware. Great post as usual.
Love some tea right now...milk AND sugar in mine though. Enjoy!
Joyce M. :~)
Those pink and red pieces are just beautiful! I can imagine setting a table with them!
ReplyDeleteMary, I love your post on transferwear. I too am a collector. My favorite color is the pink/red. About 15 years ago I came across an old set of Johnson Bros. pink/red Castle design 84 pieces for only $6.99 at a thrift shop! Needless to say I was so very thrilled at the find... Since then my Daughters and friends have added pieces to my collection.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info with us.
Hugs & Love ~Mary~
I love English transferware. My heart goes pitter-patter when I see a blue and white piece. A few have talked me into taking them home with me.
ReplyDeleteJulie
P. S.
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound like a newspaper reporter here, but I was one, and I just had to check the facts because they didn't ring right. Humprey Bogart's mother was actually Maud Humphrey. It's easy to see why she is confused with Jessie Wilcox Smith. Maud Humphrey was also a famous illustrator of children.
Julie
Mary, you have quiet a collection! You know I love transferware too and I have a few old pieces. But old or new they all make make heart race!
ReplyDeleteManuela