Another holiday, another post
This was my grandmother's (dad's side) Noritake china. The pattern name appears to be "Wellesley". I figure she must have acquired the set over time, judging from the variations in the hall marks. Or perhaps being so old, the marks just weren't always consistent? A bit of internet research tells me this is prewar (which def makes sense knowing my grandparents--held a grudge against Germany into the 80's, and I'm sure against Japan as well). They were big entertainers (dinner parties, bridge parties, etc) before my dad was born in 1940. The dinner dishes, are a set of either 8 or 10, but at least double that of cups, saucers, and little bowls and plates for dessert, bridge snacks, etc. Also an extra set of cream and sugar.
This china sat packed up in my parents' basement for a good 15 years or more. When I was single, I didn't have room or a need for it, and we never moved it into either of our houses in Cincinnati. Finally when we moved east, I brought it all down for the movers to pack up. We basically use it once a year since Passover is the only holiday we host. (We always go back to Ohio to my family for Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
Not shown, I have a small set of deco revival Noritake that I picked up for next to nothing at a Lazarus clearance center in the late 80s. I think I paid $36 for the lot, and now wish I'd bought more. That pattern is "Gotham Gray". I'll try to remember to get a pic of those pieces, too. Usually my husband's Passover seder is so huge we have to mix in both sets, and sometimes even supplement with our everyday dishes (IKEA "Dinera" if anyone cares lol). This year is nice and small, only 8 of us total, so it's nice and manageable.
