Antique Dinnerware

A treasure, displayed with pride among friends and the society, antique dinnerware, would either be passed down from generations or would be found in places which sell antique ware.

Rarely would an earthenware jelly mold, a pitcher or a jar clutter up a cupboard. However, if these pieces are there, they are preserved for sentimental reasons. Any household tableware often consists of a few pieces being passed down generations. Chinaware has been made in to table sets since the mid-1700 and an entire set is a rare find. This is essentially because cups and saucers used so often are among the first casualties.

The largest set ever made was the Wedgwood creamware produced for Catherine the Great of Russia, circa 1774. It consisted of a total of 952 pieces, each hand painted with a different scene, landscape or monument in England. This was the most important piece of work ever done on special order in creamware and was never replicated.

The most popular pattern of all time is Willow which is a blue decoration on white that though looks like it has originated from China was designed in England by someone who was influenced by Chinese porcelain. Another popular blue and white pattern is one called Meissen Onion from the Meissen Porcelain factory in Germany. Pieces, authenticated as having been made in the 18th and 19th century sell for a pretty price.

It was during the 1700's that the rarest and most beautiful pieces of Meissen Onion were made and had careful details in a gray-blue color. Japan now manufactures a similar pattern in blue called the Blue Danube.

Tableware was always bought by the dozen and most consisted of more than 93-100 pieces. Three sizes of plates for dinner, tea and dessert, small butter pats or chips instead of bread and butter places and soup dishes, cups and saucers, dishes for sauces and larger round cereal platters and various covered and uncovered dishes was what totaled to a basic set of tableware.

This is indeed a great contrast to the more modern custom of buying tableware by the place setting, each consisting of five pieces.

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