Serving Platter: Brown & Richie, Oriental Gardens, Polychrome Brown Transferware, 12", Japan, Antique 1920s - SOLD

Hand colored under the glaze in translucent pink, green, yellow, and blue, this Oriental Gardens platter is a polychrome cousin of the beloved Blue Willow.

• Maker: Brown & Richie Ltd
• Pattern: Oriental Gardens
• Materials: Earthenware
• Dimensions: 12.5 inches Long, 9.0 inches Wide
• Origin: Japan
• Era: Antique, 1920s
• Condition: Excellent — surprisingly, we found no crazing on this piece, which is not typical of the glaze on early 20th century pottery this old. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

An absolutely beautiful example of polychrome transferware, and a dream come true for transferware and vintage ceramic lovers. It is ideal for a Blue Willow collector looking to add a variation to the collection, and it displays beautifully.

This pattern is known by some as "Willow Brown Polychrome Transferware," a variation on the popular Blue Willow. The backstamp reads: "Genuine Oriental Gardens, From Original Copper Engravings. Hand-Colored Under Glaze, Made in Japan for Brown & Richie LTD." We have seen the company name spelled Brown and Ritchie, but the backstamp spells it Richie, so that is the form we use. Not much is written about Brown & Richie Ltd, which we understand to have been a small Staffordshire firm specializing in polychrome transferware, with several series of historic and Oriental patterns. Staffordshire is home to many English pottery makers, the six towns of Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall that now make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Polychrome is the process of applying several colors by hand. Making multicolor transferware was an expensive, time consuming combination of machine-printed designs and hand painting, and the process was abandoned in the 1930s. Makers continued the popular scenic transfers in the more cost effective single color process.

We carry more Oriental Gardens, including a teapot, a set of six soup bowls, and a catchall dish. Browse our shop for more transferware to round out your collection.