Transferware

Transferware is a style of ceramic including pottery, dinnerware, and other delicate items. Transfer printing as a decorative technique which was developed in England in the mid-eighteenth 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.

Twentieth century major English manufacturers include Crown Ducal, Enoch Wood, Royal Staffordshire, Royal Crownford, Alfred Meakin, Spode, Johnson Brothers, and Mason's . The most actively sought-after patterns, are: Crown Ducal's "Bristol," "Calico," "Castles," "Charlotte," "English Chippendale," "English Scenery," "Friendly Village," "Historic America," "Italian," "Liberty Blue," "Old Britain Castles," "Rose Chintz," "Tonquin," "Tower," Vista," and more.

The process was popular in other countries including Germany.

References

* [http://antiques.about.com/cs/ceramicsporcelain/a/aa051404.htm Transferware: A Timeless Decorative Art] From Pamela Wiggins, about.com
* [http://www.transferwarecollectorsclub.org/faqs/new_collector/whatistransferware.html transferwarecollectorsclub.org]
*English Transferware: Popular 20th Century Patterns by Joe Keller & Mark Gibbs ISBN 0764323482
*Miller's: Encyclopedia of British Transfer-Printed Pottery Patterns, 1790 - 1930 by Gillian Neale, Mitchell Beazley 2005,ISBN 184533003X