Are the decorations on new china dishes made using the old transferware technique?
I know some new dishes are being made with old patterns. A. Patterns on modern china are made in different ways. Although some makers may refer to a modern process as “transferware,” the process is not the same as the old transferware technique developed in the 18th century and perfected in the Staffordshire district of England. Back then, patterns were copied by inking an engraved copper plate, then transferring the design to paper (or sometimes soft glue) that was pressed onto dishes and fixed by firing. Decal printing, or lithographic printing, also is “transferred” from paper onto ceramic dishes. It does not involve copper plates. The design is printed on sheets of paper that are cut up and pressed onto the dish. Hand-painting is still used, too, by itself or in addition to a decal design. Q. I have some plastic “poppit” beads that belonged to my mother. When were they popular? Are they collectible today? A. Poppit beads were created in England in 1953. They were small ball-and-soc
