Collecting Flow Mulberry (Obsessive Collections Disorder)

I wouldn't classify myself as a hoarder. But, like most antique junkies, sometimes a little thing catches my eye and then one little thing is not enough. A few years ago, my mother, who always has a good eye for fine collectibles, spotted a little inky purple and cream plate at a local flea market. She paid a few dollars for it and presented it to me: Do you want this dish? It looks old.

I immediately loved the little plate, a perfect piece of flow mulberry. It was clearly marked "John Alcock/Cobridge" and "Vincennes". The Kovels website states that "mulberry ware was made in the Staffordshire district of England from about 1850 to 1860. The dishes were decorated with a reddish brown transfer design, now called mulberry. Many of the patterns are similar to those used for flow blue and other Staffordshire transfer wares. Oriental motifs, floral patterns, romanticized landscapes, and historical scenes are some of the patterns that appear on flow blue and Mulberry ware, and other colored transfer patterns."

Part of collecting -- and becoming obsessed with the objects of one's desire -- is learning about them. And, like falling in love, there is always something about the object which is irresistible. In this case, the somewhat blurry purplish design and landscapes were fascinating to me.

Since then, I've acquired a number of Vincennes pieces, some like new, some with crazing, chips or other defects of age and use. I've been able to buy the less-than-perfect dishes and bowls very reasonably, and while they will never have great resale value, I so enjoy them displayed on the living room mantle. And it all began with a single flea market find. Thanks, Mom!