Flow Blue Butter Dish Value Guide

This antique Flow Blue butter dish is a quintessential example of late Victorian Staffordshire pottery, featuring a distinctive octagonal base and matching domed lid. Its collectible appeal lies in the unique cobalt 'bleeding' effect, where volatile agents like ammonia caused the floral pigment to blur into the white porcelain during firing.

What Is Flow Blue Butter Dish Worth?

The typical price range for Flow Blue Butter Dish is $120 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The clarity and intensity of the 'flow' effect, with deep cobalt tones typically commanding higher prices than lighter or faded examples.
• Physical condition, specifically the absence of chips on the octagonal corners or cracks in the domed lid handle.
• The presence of a complete set, as the value of $120-$150 relies on both the original base and the lid being intact and matching.
• The intricacy of the floral pattern and the visibility of the original glaze, which should remain glossy rather than dull or abraded.

How to Identify Flow Blue Butter Dish?

• Look for the characteristic hazy or blurred cobalt blue edges on the floral pattern, which distinguishes Flow Blue from standard transferware.
• Inspect the base for an octagonal shape and a domed lid, which are specific structural features of this 1880-1910 era design.
• Check for English pottery marks on the underside, as these pieces were primarily produced in the Staffordshire district for the export market.
• Verify the material is authentic glazed porcelain with the deep, saturated blue pigment typical of late 19th-century production.

History of Flow Blue Butter Dish

Flow Blue china originated in the Staffordshire pottery district of England in the 1820s. The distinctive 'flowing' or blurred effect was achieved by adding a volatile agent, such as ammonia or lime, to the kiln during the firing process, causing the cobalt blue pigment to spread. This technique created soft, hazy patterns, making each piece unique and highly sought after. Popular from 1830 to 1900, Flow Blue patterns often featured Oriental, floral, and scenic designs, appealing to the Victorian era's taste for romantic and exotic aesthetics. Many pieces were exported to the American market, where they remain cherished collectibles today.