Booths Real Old Willow Plate Value Guide

The Booths Real Old Willow plate is a quintessential example of English transferware, produced between 1900 and 1930. It is highly collectible for its vibrant blue depiction of the legendary Chinese landscape featuring the tragic lovers Koong-se and Chang transformed into doves.

What affects the value of Booths Real Old Willow Plate?

• Condition is paramount; chips, cracks, or heavy crazing in the ceramic glaze will reduce the $25 market value.
• The clarity of the transfer print, as blurred or faded patterns are less desirable to collectors.
• The specific era of the backstamp, with pieces from the 1900-1930 period holding steady interest for their historical origin.
• Presence of original gilding on the edges, which adds to the aesthetic appeal and secondary market price.

How to Identify Booths Real Old Willow Plate?

• Look for the 'Booths' backstamp on the reverse side, often accompanied by the 'Real Old Willow' pattern name.
• Examine the ceramic for the specific deep cobalt blue transfer print characteristic of early 20th-century English production.
• Verify the presence of the classic Willow elements: the willow tree, a bridge with three figures, a pagoda, and two birds in flight.
• Check for the gold or brown rim detailing which was frequently applied to the Booths variation of this pattern.

History of Booths Real Old Willow Plate

The Willow pattern, originating in England in the late 18th century, depicts a romanticized Chinese landscape. The tale tells of a wealthy mandarin's daughter, Koong-se, who fell in love with her father's humble secretary, Chang. They eloped and were pursued by the mandarin. Just as they were about to be caught, the gods transformed them into doves, allowing them to fly away together. Booths, an English pottery company, produced its 'Real Old Willow' pattern extensively, making it a beloved and recognizable design worldwide.