Blue Willow Mug Appraisal

Blue Willow Pattern Stoneware Mug

This item is a standard-sized ceramic handle mug, specifically a piece of stoneware featuring the classic 'Blue Willow' transferware pattern. The mug is shown inverted on a textured laminate surface. The body of the mug is constructed from a heavy-set ceramic material, likely stoneware, characterized by a creamy off-white or light gray glaze. The lower section of the exterior is decorated with a detailed blue underglaze transfer print, depicting elements of the traditional Willow story, including an oriental pagoda, floral motifs, and geometric borders. The base of the mug features a raised unglazed foot ring, protecting the glazed center where an impressed mark is visible. The mark appears to include the word 'CHINA' in an arched capital font, indicating its country of origin. This specific style of embossing and the thickness of the glaze suggest a mid-to-late 20th-century mass-production timeline, approximately 1970s-1990s. The condition appears to be fair to good for a utilitarian item; there is noticeable surface grime and moderate utensil marking or light staining around the foot ring and bottom surface. There are no large chips or structural cracks visible from this angle, though the glaze shows a slightly pebbled texture characteristic of budget-friendly kiln firing processes of that era.