Blue Transferware
Transferware is a form of ceramics that includes pottery, earthenware, dinnerware, and other delicate pieces. It uses transfer printing, an ornamental technique which was developed in England in the mid-18th century, notably around the Staffordshire region.
Blue Transferware Technique
Transfer patterns were first applied to ironstone designs by Miles Mason, in an attempt to copy the techniques of Chinese porcelain. It was then adopted by Josiah Wedgwood who used it on his ivory based Creamware. Transferware is most often in one colour against a white background, such as blue transferware, or green, brown, or red transferware. Transferware designs range from dense patterns that cover the piece, to small motifs applied sparingly to give a delicate appearance. Some patterns included details that were added on top of the main transfer after the glaze had been applied.
Transferware Production
Blue Transferware printing was developed in response to a demand by consumers for less expensive, mass produced products. Customers wanted ornamentation on their previously drab pragmatic wares. Initially the patterns were oriental in design, as Chinese blue was popular at the time, but other styles developed with changing tastes in fashion.
Transfer printing enabled thousands of dinnerware sets to be produced in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost, it would have taken to hand paint these items.
