Transferware is the name given to embellished pottery, which was mass-produced by transfer printing.
Using a printed pattern from an engraved copper plate, the desired design was transferred by specially
treated paper onto many ceramic pieces of pottery. This technique was developed in the mid 1700s in England.
Prior to the introduction of transfer printing, ceramic pottery was individually decorated by hand.
With the development of this process, potters were able to
mass-produce identical, pattern ceramic pieces quicker and cheaper.
Initially, transfer prints were applied over the pottery piece’s glaze. This process proved
undesirable, as the patterns wore off with wear. It was not until the late 1700s that the patterns
were applied prior to firing, i.e., “underglazing.” Thus the designs were sealed
and didn’t wear off. Engravings transferred using cobalt blue ink proved to be more
successful than other colors, as it was the only color at that time which stood up to
the high firing temperatures required for glazing over the pattern.
 | Recent Spode
"Italian Design" Platter
(Orig. Circa 1816, Eng.) |
As this technique was refined, wide floral borders became popular, with characteristic designs
becoming the distinctive mark of individual potters. Oriental designs, as well as English landscapes,
were also widely used. Between 1800 and 1835, views of real places were most common;
whereas, imaginary, “romantic” landscapes were produced in the 1830s.
Colors other than blue were used after 1820 as the result of new underglaze techniques.
This allowed for the use of two or more colors in the transfer print.
By the mid-1800s, multi-color transfers were being applied and fired only once.
 | 1905 Minton
Romantic Staffordshire
“Genevese” Plate (Eng.)
|
Hundreds of pottery factories grew up in the Staffordshire district of England in the mid 1700s.
Many antique collectors associate “Staffordshire ware” with blue and white transferware.
Most were produced from 1818 to 1848, although copies are still being made today.
Prized producers included Spode, Enoch Wood, Wedgwood, and Minton,although
many fine pieces were unmarked. Today, there are still many old pieces of Staffordshire
blue and white transferware to be found at affordable prices.
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