Gustavsberg | Japan | Flow Blue c.1890s | Antique | Old Gustafsberg

It's difficult to describe the reverence one feels holding china from the late 1800s ... or indeed to look at 'Flow blue' china, with anything other than awe (especially if you've ever believed that expensive china patterns should be well, less messy! )

But Flow blue is like the impressionism of the china world, often more desirable because of the blur than they would be without it. The depth of colour graced with the loose, ethereal nature of the oxide flow, makes it hard to look away. I've been lucky enough to acquire several pieces, which were extremely stained when they came to me, but I've vastly improved them!  

These plates are from the mid-Victorian era, not only can you tell from the backstamp (1860-90)but they feature fairly elaborate floral brushstroke patterns and cover most of the body (in the earlier era, patterns were less flowery, more Oriental and in the later era the patterns became more sparse, often only on borders and a little more art deco). 

There's also plenty of crazing which personally I'm fascinated by, but if you are not - rest assured - that for around 150 years old these plates are still spectacular. This listing is for the plates, I have two other listings for the side plates and deep dishes/soup bowls.