Topic: Woolworths "Brocade" chintzy pattern.

[Anne E.B.]

Just for interest I bought this chintzy pattern vase and was surprised to see that it is British made and sold in Woolworths.  Its in what they call "Brocade" pattern and has a blue and white transfer pattern with applied splodges of colour here and there.  These can be felt where the glaze is thicker.  It possibly dates to around the 1930s when chintz patterns were popular, but I've read that chintz patterns made a come-back in popularity during the 1950s.   Its not top quality and I've been unable to find where it was actually made, but its interesting.  Probably sold very cheaply (and cheaply made).  There are quite a few examples of their Brocade ware online ranging from dressing table sets to tableware, but I've not found another vase like this. 



 

[Anne]

Hi Anne! I remember seeing this pattern years ago I think there were some in the family somewhere.  I never knew they were Woolies though...  but they are shown in the Woolworths Museum website here https://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/hg-chinaglass.htm

[Anne E.B.]

I do miss Woolies.  We had a local one that seemed to sell everything and I'm not too sure why they 'disappeared' from the high streets.  May be they didn't change with the times and had to compete with IKEA and the rest.  We use to make a beeline for the pick'n'mix as it was cheaper to buy a big bag of sweets rather than buying them at the local cinema (or pictures as we called it), where they cost a lot more.

Some of the household china that they sold  is very collectable now, especially the Homemaker range designed by Enid Seeney for Ridgeways.