How is it Made?

My favorite willow pattern pieces are not always blue, but for the most part they are typically English. I love older English pieces. I simply love to research where they came from, and how each piece may have been made. I have to admit, a trip to England is on my bucket list! Someone let my hubby know!

I have had several of these pieces pass through my hands. I have this great friend Jeff who loves willow, probably more than I do and I have passed most of them on to him….you know sometimes a girl has to make a tuition payment. I can’t wait for the day when those darn things go away!!!! My son is a sophomore, so the time is near.

• 

• 

• 

Pictured above are close up pictures of the front and back of this printing plate used to create a blue willow platter. The backside has a completely different pattern. In the center is this gorgeous eagle pattern. I have not found any manufacturer mark, so I really am clueless about where it came from. I will say, the birds have fairly detailed wings and their shape tells me it is English.

Most Japanese willow have a rather puffy bird. I honestly have not studied how those plates were printed, but none the less English takes my heart! To check out how the English printing plates were used, check out this Youtube video. I have no rights to it, so I am just directly you straight to the source! And what is even better is that they are making a willow plate!

Think about how long it took to make just one plate that met standards and then go into your cabinet and cherish those English pieces just a little bit more!

• 

• 

• 

I love how this printing plate was loved so much by someone that they took the time to make a hand made frame to keep it safe from the elements. I have no idea who the manufacturer is is, but I truly adore this piece. It reminds me of the plate in the transferware video listed above.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I love these pieces. They remind me of the willow pattern printing plates above. I believe they are silver plated and the backs are adorned with green felt. I would say they have been used on tables for a hotplate of sorts, to obviously serve from our best willow pieces.

I don’t know much about these other than they are about 100 years old. I have researched the hallmark HJ&G and it traces back to Hobson, James & Gilby and dates to approximately 1920 made in Birmingham. The detail on these pieces is stunning. HJ&G is a silversmith group, so I wonder if these had a way of being mass produced or they were hammered out individually. I just don’t know what technology they had in 1920. Maybe someone can comment on here and enlighten me!

For now, that’s all I have for ya! Enjoy Christine