BLUE AND WHITE POTTERY AND PORCELAIN
Collecting blue and white pottery became a hobby of mine some years ago. When I first saw a blue and white willow patterned plate on a pine dresser. I was struck with the combination; there and then I decided to start a collection of my own. At the time my knowledge of the subject was limited to say the least. I had only seen the common willow pattern with three men on the bridge. However: the next few years were to prove very exciting. I bought all books I could find on the subject. I would peruse over them untill late at night, even referring to them as my bibles.
One of my first buys was a plate from a basket full of odds and ends. It had some damage, but was a "Grazing Rabbits" pattern and was very rare. It was also very cheap just fifty pence. From then on I was well and truly hooked. I would scour the antique shops and went to the "Antique Fairs "that were so popular in the nineteen seventies. I had a stall at many of these fairs and made lots of friends. I also managed to collect quite a few pieces of blue and white whilst at some of the fairs. I would set up our stall then, leaving my husband holding the fort; I would stroll around the stalls looking for anything blue and white. Many a time I would come across a rare piece but on seeing the price I would pass it by.
Some dealers had their prices marked so high it was impossible to buy from them. I then had to make a decision if I would be prepared to buy only the perfect specimens or should I buy for the rarity of the pattern or maker. I decided to buy any unusual or rare patterned piece even if it was damaged a little, as long as it was for my own pleasure it didnt worry me. I would rather have the pleasure of looking at the pattern than hoping for the opportunity of seeing a perfect piece at a price that I could afford.
It is surprising once you start to look, just how numerous these patterns are, "The grazing Rabbits" for instance is a lovely pattern of a country scene with cottages and three rabbits playing under a tree. The makers of this pattern are unknown as are quite a few, but the date is known C.1820. Another pretty pattern, is the" Village Church" C.1820 by Rogers. Then there is The Bee-Master by possibly Adams C.1825.Then one that I searched for a long time "The Gleaners" again maker unknown date 1814. I bought books by E.W.Coysh "Blue and White Pottery" and whenever I bought another piece I would race home to check if it was in the book. I would talk hours on end to the many enthusiasts I met. In the meantime my little collection was growing, but so too were the number of people taking an interest in the subject.
Finding the rarer pieces became harder and harder, those I did come accross inevitably the price was way too high. My friend and I would travel around Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Norfolk searching. I would search for Blue and White and my friend for anything that took her fancy. We had many adventurous outings. One day while searching for blue and white, I cast my eye on a beautiful antique Italian bedroom settee, it had some damage on the wicker back, but I knew I just had to have it. All thoughts of blue and white forgotten, I had to turn my head away as I smiled at the usually calm face of my friend who was screaming madly to the seller as he tried to squeeze it in the back of her new car. I stood there quietly watching the antics until after some time they managed to get the darn thing in. My friend was very quiet on the way home and even more so when my husband had the same battle to get it out again once home.
It was a few weeks before she rang me up again to ask if I would like to join her on another hunting trip, but this time she made it very clear she was not prepared to misuse her car in such away again.
I am still looking today for any rare pieces of blue and white, the only place they are to be found are in fancy priced antique shops or at auction. The public at large are very well informed thanks to such programmes as the "Antique Roadshow" and other popular T.V. programmes. But old habits die hard and any time I see a blue and white plate it attracts me to it like a magnet.
