Flow Blue Butter Pat Value Guide

Originating from the Staffordshire region of England, Flow Blue butter pats are prized for their distinctive blurred cobalt blue aesthetic. These small ceramic dishes became Victorian staples, particularly the later European motifs and pastoral scenes produced between 1890 and 1910.

What Is Flow Blue Butter Pat Worth?

The typical price range for Flow Blue Butter Pat is $15 - $25 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 significantly impacts the desirability among collectors.
• Specific patterns, such as the Oregon pattern by Johnson Brothers, often command higher prices within the $15-$25 range.
• The physical condition of the ceramic, including the presence of chips, cracks, or heavy crazing, dictates final value.
• Rarity of the specific motif and the prominence of the manufacturer's backstamp.

How to Identify Flow Blue Butter Pat?

• Look for the characteristic 'bleeding' or blurred effect where the cobalt blue pigment flows into the white glaze.
• Check for authentic English maker marks on the underside, such as Johnson Brothers or other Staffordshire potteries.
• Verify the size is appropriate for an individual butter serving, typically measuring 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
• Examine the pattern for late Victorian era themes, including the popular Oregon pattern or traditional pastoral scenes.

History of Flow Blue Butter Pat

Flow Blue china originated in the Staffordshire region of England around 1830. Its distinctive blurred or 'flowed' cobalt blue patterns were an accidental result of adding a volatile agent during the firing process, which caused the blue pigment to bleed into the white glaze. This unique aesthetic quickly gained popularity, especially in America, where it became a staple in many Victorian homes. Early patterns often featured Oriental landscapes, but later designs, like the Oregon pattern from Johnson Brothers, embraced more traditional European motifs and pastoral scenes, making them highly collectible today.