Transferware


Transferware is the term assigned to ceramics decorated with motifs applied by means of engravings transferred from a copper engraving to a special tissue, then onto a pottery base. Transferware was decorated in many different colours: pale to dark blue, green, pink, mulberry, purple, brown, black and some combinations thereof. Many different motifs appear on transferware; stlylized Oriental scenes, romanticized buildings and scenic views, botanical specimens, classical figures, historical and literary subjects, genre views of the period, armorial devices and portraits. The following article by David Arman describes an auction of transferware at the First Annual Meeting of The Transferware Collectors Club.

When the agenda was drawn up for the first meeting by the three temporary officers, the auction and the show/sale were added as inducements for the membership to attend. This would provide a chance to add to one’s collection at a venue closed to the public and a chance to obtain pieces from a source not normally available to most members. The results were almost a case of the “tail wagging the dog”, as the tales of the success of the dealer-exhibitors and auction purchasers made the rounds of the trade the following week during the heavily attended New Hampshire antiques week.

The auction consisted of a surprising forty-seven items consigned by eleven different members and were purchased by fourteen members, including one dealer-member who spent almost $2000.00 on merchandise. The consignors were allowed to set a reserve, which resulted in eleven items not selling. The remaining pieces sold for a total of $5400.00, with a high price of $550.00 being paid for both a Landing of Lafayette platter (damaged) and a footed tazza with a blue transfer of an American Eagle and Buzzard. The highest priced item offered was a fabulous dark blue platter from Enoch Woods’ Regular Shell border series in mint condition, which failed to meet it’s $3000.00 reserve. The most unusual item (and something I’ve never seen before) was a transfer-printed, 12”w funnel shaped device with a transfer-printed ceramic “flapper” valve, set into a five gallon tin container, to be used as a forerunner of the infamous “Porta-Potty”. Probably a military “necessary”, it could have been the origin of the term “going to the can.” It failed to sell, but was quickly consigned to Joseph Arman and his Collector’s Sales and Services Transferware auction. This thoroughly enjoyable sale raised $470.00 for the TCC.

An extremely rare War of 1812 pitcher was sold during set up and an extremely rare “Columbus, GA” cup plate, plus an extremely rare, damaged, four medallion 10” plate by Andrew Stevenson found a new home. A smiling, newly elected board member, Peter Bevacqua was noted leaving the show with a bag of large dark blue platters, while dealer-collector member, Dennis Beraud added several more pieces to his already large inventory. At least two dealers reported sales in the five-figure range, while several more reported more modest mid-four figure sales. Not bad for a $25.00 table rent, a one-hour set up and a two hour show, which also netted the TCC another $500.00. Also not bad for an “added inducement.”

Article reprinted with the permission of The Transferware Collectors Club