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How do I know if my Blue Willow is valuable?

How do I know if my Blue Willow is valuable?

Look for Clues About the Date

  1. Some new pieces are unmarked, although they will often say “Made in China” or have another modern backstamp.
  2. Early Blue Willow pieces have a softer glaze and a lighter overall feel.
  3. Older pieces may have some signs of crazing or light cracking on the surface of the glaze.

Are Blue Willow plates valuable?

The great production of Blue Willow in the past 2½ centuries means a great deal of variety in values. Eighteenth and 19th century porcelain examples can command prices into the thousands, and even some 20th century transferware pieces are highly collectible.

How do I know if my old china is valuable?

If you can see a lot of light coming through the piece, you most likely have china with bone ash in it. Examine the color. Noritake also notes that the color of bone china tends to be more ivory than white. If your piece is pure white, it is more likely to be hard or soft porcelain.

How old is the Blue Willow pattern?

It became popular at the end of the 18th century in England when, in its standard form, it was developed by English ceramic artists combining and adapting motifs inspired by fashionable hand-painted blue-and-white wares imported from China.

Is willow pattern china valuable?

Some Blue Willow china is worth money Collectors look for rare, English-made china (1780-1820). It’s considered better quality than mass-produced versions made later in China, Japan and the U.S. Unique pieces such as covered dishes and coffee pots are also more valuable than dishes and cups.

What is the story behind Blue Willow china?

The Legend of the Blue Willow Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island.

How do I know if my old dishes are worth anything?

Look for a back stamp or marker stamp. This is the easiest way to identify the manufacturer of your dinnerware, although in many cases the stamps may have faded or become illegible. Once you know the manufacturer, you can look up the approximate value of the piece online.

Does Blue Willow contain lead?

Question: Are Blue Willow Dishes Lead Free? Answer: Um, no. In fact most of them have incredibly high levels of lead (in a range that I would consider as not safe to eat off of.)

Which is better blue willow china or mass produced China?

It’s considered better quality than mass-produced versions made later in China, Japan and the U.S. Unique pieces such as covered dishes and coffee pots are also more valuable than dishes and cups. 10. You can still buy brand new Blue Willow china

How to tell if you have antique blue willow china?

According to International Willow Collector s, there are some clues that can help you determine whether you have a piece of antique Blue Willow china or a modern reproduction: Some new pieces are unmarked, although they will often say “Made in China” or have another modern backstamp.

How many pieces of blue willow are there?

LARGE ENGLISH BLUE WILLOW PLATTER PLUS CHINA: LARGE ENGLISH BLUE WILLOW PLATTER PLUS CHINA: Estate accumulation of approx. 60 pieces of Blue Willow pattern china by an assortment of makers. The platter TOASTRITE BLUE WILLOW PORCELAIN TOASTER: TOASTRITE BLUE WILLOW PORCELAIN TOASTER: Ca. 1928. The elusive Blue Willow china electric toaster.

When did Blue Willow porcelain come to England?

Both of your friends are correct. Some pieces of Blue Willow are valuable antiques and Woolworth’s did sell a line of Blue Willow patterned dinnerware. Blue Willow porcelain was first imported to England from China in the 18th century. By 1780, porcelain manufacturer Thomas Minton had reproduced the pattern on a line of his dishware.

How do I know if my blue willow is valuable?

How do I know if my blue willow is valuable?

Look for Clues About the Date

  1. Some new pieces are unmarked, although they will often say “Made in China” or have another modern backstamp.
  2. Early Blue Willow pieces have a softer glaze and a lighter overall feel.
  3. Older pieces may have some signs of crazing or light cracking on the surface of the glaze.

Are blue willow plates valuable?

The great production of Blue Willow in the past 2½ centuries means a great deal of variety in values. Eighteenth and 19th century porcelain examples can command prices into the thousands, and even some 20th century transferware pieces are highly collectible.

Is Blue Willow china made in Japan worth anything?

Experts agree that English Willow is usually a better investment than Japanese or American, because it’s older and of higher quality. Anything between 1780 and 1820 is rare; plates can sell for $100 to $200 apiece, while more unusual pieces can go for up to $5,000, says Berndt.

How do you date a Blue Willow?

American Blue Willow The “J” underneath the Buffalo China mark indicates that this piece dates to 1949. If the number after the dash is a “6,” then it dates to June 1949(!).

Does Blue Willow contain lead?

Question: Are Blue Willow Dishes Lead Free? Answer: Um, no. In fact most of them have incredibly high levels of lead (in a range that I would consider as not safe to eat off of.)

What is the story of the Blue Willow pattern?

The Willow Pattern was a blue and white transfer-printed composite design which brought together Buddhist imagery, pagodas, landscapes, birds and trees from Chinese porcelain. The pattern is said to be woven around a romantic story of star-crossed lovers eloping together.

Does Blue Willow china have lead in it?

What is the story behind Blue Willow china?

The Legend of the Blue Willow Tso Ling was the father of a beautiful girl, Kwang-se, who was the promised bride of an old but wealthy merchant. The girl, however, fell in love with Chang, her father’s clerk. The lovers eloped across the sea to the cottage on the island.

How old is the Willow Pattern?

It was probably for Spode that the English Willow pattern was created and first produced perhaps around 1790, because it incorporates particular, distinctive features of earlier Chinese willow scenes which were already known and imitated at the Spode factory.

Can you get lead poisoning from dishes?

Lead is used in the glazes or decorations covering the surface of some ceramic dishes. This lead can get into food and drink prepared, stored, or served in the dishes. Some dishes contain enough lead to cause severe lead poisoning. Even dishes with lower lead levels may contribute to a person’s overall lead exposure.

How much is an antique blue willow china worth?

Value of Antique Blue Willow. The value of antique Blue Willow china is dependent on a variety of things. Of course the earliest versions of the pattern are much sought after and can command top dollar. Pieces from certain manufacturers like Spode and Wedgwood will be priced higher than pieces by other companies as a general rule.

Which is the best Blue Willow dish to buy?

Dishes with the fewest scratches and indications of wear sell the best. Blue Willow dishes manufactured by Spode or Wedgewood have a higher value than dishes made by most other companies. Early versions of all companies’ dishes are in demand from collectors.

How big is the largest piece of Blue Willow?

The largest piece is a platter that is 15 inches across. One friend tells me that Blue Willow platters are valuable antiques, but another told me that Woolworth’s used to sell Blue Willow and that I should just donate my pieces to charity.

What do you need to know about Blue Willows?

To be a true Blue Willow pattern it must include: 1 willow trees 2 Chinese pine trees (commonly confused as apple or orange trees) 3 a bridge with three men on it 4 a fence 5 a boat 6 a teahouse (or pagoda) and 7 two birds in flight. More …