Brown Transferware Randolph Street Market

Collectibles: Brown Transferware

COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

I did a post several months ago on blue and white Transferware and discussed my own collection of green Transferware, now here we are with brown. Actually. these are the three colors I am familiar with (the blue and white), collections in friends homes, (the green) which I collect, or (brown) assembled while assisting with decorating a country home many years ago. So brown it is today. All of the colors and there are many, including pink, purple, red, even yellow, you will find examples to add to your collection or start a new passion at the monthly Randolph Street Market. I think a perfect collection for any Fall table, especially Thanksgiving.

Transferware is a style of ceramics including pottery, dinnerware, and other delicate items. It uses transfer printing, a decorative technique which was developed in England, in the mid-18th century, particularly around the Staffordshire region.

The process starts with an engraved copper plate similar to those used for making paper engravings. The plate is used to print the pattern on tissue paper, then the tissue paper transfers the wet ink to the ceramic surface. The ceramic is then fired in a low-temperature kiln to fix the pattern. This can be done over or under the glaze, but the underprinting method is more durable. The process produces fine lines similar to the engraved prints in old books. Before transfer printing ceramics were hand painted, a laborious and costly process.” From Wikipedia (never know how much to believe from this site but this seems accurate).

Brown Transferware Randolph Street Market

Here is a small portion of the collection I amassed several years ago. It is a complete supper set found in various antique markets both here and abroad. I started this collection before RSM began but have found items to add to it recently at the Market. I didn’t want anything very flowery nor with people but rather English scenes and a flower or two. I don’t remember where I first found what I wanted for this country house but it just grew from there. I do remember I was doing a fashion show out of town and went antiquing at a local mall on our way back to Chicago and happened to glance down into a case and there was an entire set of the exact pattern I was collecting…if you are a collector, you can only imagine my excitement…had to run out to find a cash machine and hurry back to make my purchase. I have, as mentioned, added to the collection over the years but the place settings are done. I add a pitcher, a platter, a bowl, etc. when I see them. I particularly like the salt and pepper shakers on the top shelf, they were in the antique mall collection.

Brown Transferware Randolph Street Market

The platter at the top of the breakfront was found at an antique market in the English country side. I carried it and several other pieces back with me on the plane home, I was, for some unknown reason, upgraded to first class on the flight and my treasures were stowed very carefully by the flight attendant, she must have been a collector as well!

Brown Transferware Randolph Street Market