Flow blue china, with its intricate design, adds sophistication to any space. Is it valuable? What’s the usual price for flow blue china?
How Much Is My Flow Blue China Worth
The price of antique flow blue china depends on factors like quality, quantity, and condition. Individual items may cost between $10 and $1,300, influenced by location and make. Sets typically range from $40 to $2,000.
Flow blue China utilizes a unique transfer printing technique distinct from hand-painted China. While hand-painted pieces involve individual painting, flow blue achieves its blue-and-white design through pattern transfer before firing. The method results in intricate and consistent designs, offering historical significance and craftsmanship. For those considering China collecting, exploring flow blue can provide a compelling entry point given its artistic appeal and historical value.
What is Flow Blue China?
Flow Blue China shares similarities with other porcelain items, but its distinguishing feature lies in its unique patterns and designs.
In the 1800s, fine china commonly showcased clear, distinct patterns and paintings. Flow Blue China, in contrast, gained popularity for its unique appeal, featuring deliberately distorted images. This distinct characteristic set it apart and garnered attention from both consumers and collectors.
Blurred or distorted images in Flow Blue China are not intentional during the painting process. Artists paint or transfer the desired image onto the piece, then place it in the kiln and add lime. During the heating process, the acidic lime juice disperses in the air, leading to the blurring of the painted images.
Value in Flow Blue China varies across eras, with patterns aiding in identifying production periods. Collectors typically focus on three main eras:
- Early 19th century: recognized for intricate hand-painted patterns.
- Mid-19th century: introduction of transfer printing, enhancing production efficiency.
- Late 19th to early 20th century: utilization of more diverse patterns and colors.
Approximately 1,500 patterns have been crafted and employed in the production of Flow Blue China over the years, showcasing the extensive variety and creativity within this unique style.
How is Flow Blue China made?
In the 1700s, a prevalent technique for Chinese production was transfer printing, where an artist crafted a stamp of the pattern and transferred it onto the pieces. This method significantly accelerates production compared to hand painting. Flow Blue China incorporated both techniques, showcasing a blend of efficiency and artistic craftsmanship.
The transfer printing technique was pioneered by John Brooks in 1751 to expedite the creation of white and cobalt decorations. This involved an ink drawing on moist tissue paper transferred onto the china.
Following the paint transfer, lime was introduced to the kiln, contributing humidity and acid to the air, resulting in the intentional blurring of the images on Flow Blue China.
Is Flow Blue worth anything?
While hand-painted items retain higher value due to their rarity as originals, transferware, including Flow Blue pieces, still holds considerable value and trading power. Surprisingly, the market demand for Flow Blue items has remained consistent and shows no signs of decline.
A wide range of Flow Blue china pieces, including plates, dinnerware, dog dishes, candlesticks, candy dishes, chamberpots, teapots, and small statues, are readily available for purchase.
The value of Flow Blue China is significantly higher when it is in good condition or sold as a complete set. Clear pieces with readable backstamps command better prices.
Authentic Flow Blue pieces, especially those inherited or collected in the 1800s, may show wear, particularly if exposed to air and moisture. Fading and bleeding of the blue design into the white part can occur over time.
For those owning Flow Blue pieces, appraisal options include antique shops or collectors, providing insights into their market value.
How Much Is Flow Blue Worth?
The price range for Flow Blue China is broad, spanning from $10 to nearly $900 for pieces in new condition. Common items like plates found online typically range from $20 to $50. Authenticity poses a challenge, and due to clever imitations, it’s advisable to seek professional appraisal to accurately distinguish genuine pieces from replicas
A teapot from the 1840s, characterized as rare and beautiful, recently sold for $599.99 on eBay.
Authentic Flow Blue China pieces are in high demand among collectors and enthusiasts globally, but the market is plagued by numerous knock-offs and fakes. Distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit pieces requires training and practice, and even experts may encounter some ambiguity. Experienced collectors often attend shows, aiming to identify underpriced items and resell them at a significant profit, highlighting the potential for lucrative transactions in the Flow Blue China market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Identify the Flow Blue?
Flow Blue stands out from traditional Blue Willow and other angular transferware designs. It is a distinct white and blue china pattern, intentionally characterized by a foggy or blurred blue design. The intentional blurring is achieved by adding lime to the kiln during the firing process.
Why is it called Flow Blue?
The term “flow blue” refers to a white earthenware and porcelain design pioneered by Staffordshire potters in England during the Regency era, approximately in the 1820s. The name stems from the intentional blurring or “flooding” of the blue glaze during the firing process.
Lead Is There In Flow Blue?
Around 1825, Staffordshire, England, introduced the initial production of Flowing Blue. The use of cobalt blue underglaze, resistant to kiln heat, combined with glazes containing lead oxide imparted a distinctive depth of color and sparkle to flowing blue wares.
Does Flow Blue China have any value?
The price of Flow Blue can range from $35 to $500, influenced by factors such as antiquity, condition, style, age, and market demand. Particularly ancient pieces may carry a higher value or exhibit exceptional quality.
