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Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Wedgewood Blue And White China; The Coveted Flow Blue China
It is easy to picture the Wedgewood White china as a base for flow blue. The translucent glowing white is very comparable to the bone china utilized in Wedgewood's blue and white patterns from the mid 1800’s.
This blue and white china got its name “flow blue” since the blue transfer pattern appears to bleed or flow into the white background. The method is said to have been developed by Josiah Wedgwood II, but many other producers in the Stoke were making this blue and white china all around the same time. Some people mistakenly feel that this method of Flow Blue came about through a firing accident. Even so, this is not the case. The addition of lime or chloride of ammonia into the protective shell of the fire-clay sagger surrounding the wares while firing the glaze, produced the desired "flowing" effect.
Possibly this reasonably priced Wedgwood china was made since the flow blue method hides a myriad of defects in the earthenware. Issues from poorly joined seams on transfer prints that required several sections to air pockets in the ceramic body of the piece. With enhancements in underglazing tactics, colors other than blue began to be flown.
A few of these transfers were so flown the original pattern was hardly recognizable. Clearly it’s understandable why many English critics weren't very keen on this type of Wedgwood blue and white china. It was not the comprehensive, clean, painted patterns they had grown accustom to. Even so, it was wildly well-known in the United States at the turn of the century.
Many people do feel that Wedgewood Blue and White china was a firing accident. Regardless of how or why Wedgwood Flow Blue came to be, it was wildly well-known among the masses, and is highly coveted by collectors today.
It's also clear as to why a number of people considered this method to be a mishap. It appears as though the transfer has bled out of its lines. It really is not clear why Wedgwood developed this method, or why he thought it would be a well-known style, but since its introduction Wedgewood blue and white china has been coveted by collectors for decades.
Many brands of Fine China collections are available at Char Crews. For more information on these products and many more please visit our website at www[dot]charcrews[dot]com. If you are unable to find what you’re looking for email us at info@charcrews.com or call us at 1.800.323.1972
This blue and white china got its name “flow blue” since the blue transfer pattern appears to bleed or flow into the white background. The method is said to have been developed by Josiah Wedgwood II, but many other producers in the Stoke were making this blue and white china all around the same time. Some people mistakenly feel that this method of Flow Blue came about through a firing accident. Even so, this is not the case. The addition of lime or chloride of ammonia into the protective shell of the fire-clay sagger surrounding the wares while firing the glaze, produced the desired "flowing" effect.
Possibly this reasonably priced Wedgwood china was made since the flow blue method hides a myriad of defects in the earthenware. Issues from poorly joined seams on transfer prints that required several sections to air pockets in the ceramic body of the piece. With enhancements in underglazing tactics, colors other than blue began to be flown.
A few of these transfers were so flown the original pattern was hardly recognizable. Clearly it’s understandable why many English critics weren't very keen on this type of Wedgwood blue and white china. It was not the comprehensive, clean, painted patterns they had grown accustom to. Even so, it was wildly well-known in the United States at the turn of the century.
Many people do feel that Wedgewood Blue and White china was a firing accident. Regardless of how or why Wedgwood Flow Blue came to be, it was wildly well-known among the masses, and is highly coveted by collectors today.
It's also clear as to why a number of people considered this method to be a mishap. It appears as though the transfer has bled out of its lines. It really is not clear why Wedgwood developed this method, or why he thought it would be a well-known style, but since its introduction Wedgewood blue and white china has been coveted by collectors for decades.
Many brands of Fine China collections are available at Char Crews. For more information on these products and many more please visit our website at www[dot]charcrews[dot]com. If you are unable to find what you’re looking for email us at info@charcrews.com or call us at 1.800.323.1972
