For some years now I have been collecting Blue Ridge China Plates. Blue Ridge China was manufactured in Erwin Tennessee by Southern Potteries. Each piece was hand painted by a local artist who followed a particular pattern for each manufactured run.
Because of the sheer number of designs, many Blue Ridge enthusiasts are "Pattern" collectors. They seek only one or two pieces of each pattern, which makes it a very inexpensive hobby.
It's great fun to go through antique stores and find a pattern to add to the collection. Good, quality piece range from 10 to 35 dollars so it is very affordable. It is also obvious that some artists were more skillful than others, so there are some pieces that are exquisite, and some are only average.
Blue Ridge China is folk art at it's finest. It's American craftsmanship at it's best and great fun to collect. I highly recommend it as a hobby.
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Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
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Richard,
I am not so much into china but I do like salt dips and they are getting hard to find.
Don R.
Strange, Richard, some of the parallels. I used to deal in Blue Ridge for awhile (along with other china and pottery). Real estate, photography, trains and now china. Are you my long lost younger (by five years) twin?
Richard- I collect lots of stuff including a few plates. I have not seen Blue Ridge China before, very nice. I love regional art and how unique to have them individually painted. Is each piece signed by the artist and do you have a favorite artist you collect?
Richard: You've given me a new reason to shop for antiques. I'll have to find something uniue and send it to you.
Don...
It's fun to focus on something! Kind of like a treasure hunt.
Mike...
OK this is getting scary my friend!
Leslie...
No the artist do not sign the plate, some are just of a better quality than others. So even if you already have a particular pattern you might find a better example! Most are stamped on the back "Blue Ridge" but not all!
Chris Ann...
That sounds great! Thanks.
Richard -- Wow...you get a little deeper and a little deeper every time I read one of your posts. LOL...So far, the only thing I have successfully collected is ex-wives...ROTFL!
Clint....
I have only collected one of those.,lol but seriously ... I an a very visual person and love visual things! It's really a lot of fun finding these Blue Ridge Plates.
My father has an extensive collection that he is very proud of. Ex-wives that is. I collect royal satsuma pottery, but every time I go to Ashville or Gatlinburg, my wife has to stroll through all the pottery stores and take a look at the plates and bowls. I usually don't leave empty handed.
JL...
One of the best thing about Blue Ridge is that it is relatively inexpensive, so you are more likely to find it at a flea market or yard sale.