Transferware is a a printing process begun in 1756 by John Sadler and Guy Green of Liverpool, England. It was adopted by Josiah Wedgwood for the very popular cream ware. Transferware is a process whereby a pattern is etched onto a copper plate, inked, transferred on to a tissue, which is then laid onto a bisque fired ceramic piece. Transferware has a crisp decal-like look to it. It was created as an economical alternative to hand painted dish ware. Prior to its development, only the very affluent English could afford sets of exquisitely hand painted china and ceramics.
Transferware was initially produced in single colors only:
blue (many shades, including flow blue), red (called pink), black (called jet), brown (called sienna), purple (called Mulberry), and green. Yellow was a very rare color and not often found. The pieces can be easy enough to date with the English Registry marks dating from 1842-1883.
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