Your china pattern(s) and any family history or stories connected with it.

[rp2813]

Just a Few Pieces

Frank Lloyd Wright "Whirling Arrow" pattern.  Made by the H.F. Coors (yes, that Coors) china company in Tucson.  They operate a factory store and bone yard on the premises and once a month throw the doors open to the manufacturing area where there are racks and racks of china in all types of patterns, many made for restaurants (including the likes of the famous Ahwhanee Hotel in Yosemite Valley), that are all seconds and priced super cheap.

 

I bought four dinner plates in Eggshell White ($2 each, normally $30), four mugs in Fern Green ($1 each, normally $16) and a large 110-oz serving bowl in Slate Gray ($10, normally $62).  I can't find the flaws on any of them. Once again, the flash messed with the color tone in the attached picture.

 

If you ever make plans to visit Tucson, time it for the first Saturday of the month and check this place out!

http://hfcoors.com/factorystore.html

 

[twintubdexter]

Some very nice china pictured here. So many of you are fortunate to have sets that belonged to your mothers or grandmothers. My grandparents were already gone by the time I was born and since my mom and her sisters were raised in a Catholic orphanage in Oakland...my Aunt corrected me this past week and said it was a "Convent" but certainly not like the one in "The Sound of Music" or "The Flying Nun" since they received beatings on a regular basis...I have no heirloom pieces.

About 15 years ago, shortly before my partner Dale died suddenly, he went on a china shopping spree at Macy's and purchased a ton of Wedgewood "Huming Bird" (that's the way it's spelled on the back.) We used the set once, on a Fourth of July barbeque with my parents and brothers...spareribs on china, is that dumb or what? Being a natural-born klutz, this stuff is not practical since it needs to be hand-washed. It was discontinued years ago so replacement pieces are pricey. I'm sure it will remain a "used-once" set until after I'm gone.

like Dale, everyone loves hummingbirds

 

[twintubdexter]

I keep the real hummingbirds outside...there are tons of them

 

[foraloysius]

Joe,

What a beautiful set of china!! Dale sure had taste. I have seen a lot of china in my life, but this set is amazing.

Louis

 

[norgeway]

Metlox Poppytrail!

I have my Mothers set of Metlox California Ivy she got in 1950!

 

[angus]

Unfortunately my parents never could afford any real "good china". However, one of my uncles worked for a trucking company and occasionally some things "fell off the truck" so that is how my mother got her "Japanese Garden" china - fairly plain white with a platinum band and pale blue leaves/flowers on the border. Never cared for it much so in the 80's my sister and I bought her a service for 12 in the Lenox Amethyst pattern. Usual off white china with platinum band and amethyst flowers on the border. Used it on holidays but a pain since it had to be handwashed. Got the whole service for 12 and serving pieces at Fortunoff's on a huge sale for under $400. It reposes in the china cabinet now and since it is long since discontinued, replacement pieces are a fortune.

I decided that I wanted something I could use and put in the dishwasher without worry. So I went for Villeroy and Boch's "Twist Alea" pattern. Not bone china, but porcelain. White with a rainbow of little color blocks around the rim. Love it and never fails to get lots of comments at dinner parties and holidays. Love the white background with the color. Goes great with my Williams Sonoma pale pink "hotel weight" tablecloth and napkins (love those linens and have several sets of napkins and cloths in white since pink was discontinued. They launder and iron beautifully and look fresh and crisp. I digress, though. For most occasions my stemware is Villeroy and Boch's New Cottage Clear. I use the water goblets as wine glasses and the Iced Tea goblets as water glasses (I love big beverage glasses). However being a self confessed tabletop whore, I have many sets of wine glasses and water glasses. But again, I tend to use the stuff that can be put in the dishwasher since my dinner parties are usually for 12 - 16 and washing that many glasses by hand is too daunting - besides they never come out as clean and spot free as the dishwasher gets them. I also have but am terrified to use very delicate Kosta Boda crystal. It is absolutely simple and beautiful but incredibly fragile. Got that in 1982 at the company warehouse sale in New Jersey at something like $4.00 per glass. So I went for the whole suite - and did use it over the years but really need to replace some pieces. I think I broke three water goblets and five wine glasses and it is now $45 per stem. Lots of luck!!

On to flatware - my mother did have her mother in law's Oneida Morning Star silver plate and service for 16 to boot. Sure it is plate, but it still looks great and is nice and heavy in the hand. I love the little scratches that show how it has been used again and again. And it gives me great pleasure to set the table with something that has been on our holiday tables since Nana bought it in 1948. My good stainless is Gorham's Tristan (of course, now discontinued)

My daily dinnerware has evolved over the years but is now a boatload of Fiestaware. One of my friends had his partner move in with him who then decreed that only white must be on the table so he gave me his entire service for 12 in assorted colors. I have also collected a fair amount on my own using Greenfield"s to pick up some discontinued colors (pale yellow, coral, jade green and rose pink). So now I have an additional Fiestaware service for 16 that even includes the very collectible Lilac color - had to get that from ebay but still cheaper than Replacements.com.

Let's not even get into placemats and napkins...

 

[davey7]

RP - those dishes from Sears are lovely. Reminds me that my mom wanted her families old Sears Roebuck dining room table until she saw how her brother mangled restoring it... Your dishes are much nicer.

Those hummingbird dishes are stunning!

 

[polkanut]

A thrifting find of a lifetime!

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">Today, my dear wife, while out on one of her weekly thrift store rounds, came across the salt & pepper shakers for our Cunningham & Pickett Norway Rose pattern china.  Replacements.com has them listed for $127.46-10%=$114.71.  She bought the pair for 50¢, and they're in mint condition!  She said she felt like she was on Antiques Roadshow and was just told that what she had was worth a small fortune.  I'm so proud of her.  I've trained her eye well.</span>

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/CUPNOR.htm?mkd=062520140008289300

 

[estatesale_gary]

Dish Queen

I've collected pottery and dinnerware for many years. Primary interest is Red Wing and California pottery. Go to Modish link below, then go to "Museum" link, then "Collections", then "The Gary Klun Collection."

Sets that I have that have a history? Red Wing Pepe - 1963. Both Grandmothers got them from the IGA Store in my hometown as a premium. Have their surviving pieces and completed the set. Franciscan Starburst. Grandma Mollie's sewing club dishes. Complete with ashtrays.

http://modish.net/

 

[twintubdexter]

A 50 cent pair of salt & pepper shakers may seem like a small thing but if they're something you've been searching for and you dicsover them at a bargain price then I say "let's celebrate!" Congrats of your wife's find. That Red Wing "Pepe" pattern has a cool "60's" look to it. I guess today that would be pronounced "Pa-pay."

 

[polkanut]

Joe,

<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">It was a fantastic surprise to me!  I have seen them for sale @ Replacements.com for awhile, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would find them, especially at that bargain basement price.  I took her to lunch as a thank you.</span>

 

[58limited]

No history to my china, my family didn't have anything special. I bought mine in 2008 simply because I liked it and the price was not bad (the economy had just gone bust):

Hutschenreuther Revere produced from 1958 to 1988. I have a complete 12 place set with most serving pieces.

 

[classiccaprice]

I have two sets. Nothing exciting, Corelle Butterfly Gold for everyday use and Signature Queen Anne for more formal affairs.

The Butterfly gold was my grandmothers and we had the same set growing up. The Queen Anne was part of my mother's dowry set up by her older aunt when she was around 10. It was purchased at the A&P, so you know it is quality. Lol. They are sentimental for me though and I like the lines.

 

[xraytech]

I also have Butterfly Gold as daily ware. I grew up with mom and grandma using it. Grandma replaced hers and I have it as well as pieces I acquired to have a service for 20, yes it is nice if having a BBQ or potluck since I don't stock disposable plates at home.

My favorite good set of china I just inherited from my other grandmother. It was purchased as a service of 8 within the first two years of her marriage in 1952. It is Kent China in the a Silver Pine pattern. I used eBay to replace the 6 coffee cups that were broken through the years, and I added an extra round and oval serving bowls.

 

[danemodsandy]

I Have Often Wondered....

....What it was with pine-themed stuff in the early '50s. There was a lot of it.

You didn't really see it before that, and you haven't really seen it since. Just that time frame.

 

[danemodsandy]

I Have Often Wondered....

....What it was with pine-themed stuff in the early '50s. There was a lot of it.

You didn't really see it before that, and you haven't really seen it since. Just that time frame.

 

[xraytech]

I have no idea about that Sandy, but I love the pine themed stuff, not just this china but everything else too

 

[bluejay]

Gary, if you need more of the Pepe pattern, this seller has 5 saucers listed for $5.

http://https//www.etsy.com/listing/190810916/5-red-wing-saucers-pepe-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_22

 

[polkanut]

Our latest finds....

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">We recently stopped at a local consignment shop and sitting off in a corner were some additional pieces to our everyday dinnerware (Mount Clemens pattern #78).  We found 6 luncheon plates, 1 syrup pitcher, 1 gravy boat, 1 creamer, and 1 covered sugar bowl.  We've never had any luncheon plates with this set before, and the syrup pitcher isn't even listed on Replacements.com as having been made as an accessory piece.  I did find a pic online from a small & obscure china replacement site.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Stetson also had this same pattern in their lineup (Stetson pattern #9).</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">My wife bought the basic original service for 8 in 1968 from Kresge's as a Christmas gift to her parents.  At that time Kresge's had a contract with Mount Clemens Pottery (Mount Clemens, MI) to distribute their dinnerware. </span>

http://www.robbinsnest.com/american-dinnerware/mount-clemens/blushing-rose.html

 

[brib68]

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.

 

[norgeway]

When Mother and Dad

Got married Dec 6, 1950, she did not want traditional china, instead she chose Poppytrail by Metlox, California Ive, which I have packed away, it chips easily, so I never use it.

 

[norgeway]

????

IVE!!! I mean IVY!

 

[abcomatic]

talk about stories about china! lol

My mother never wanted anything to do with fine china and sterling, Melmac was good enough for us in blue and pink. I hated that stuff in the '50's!
When I finally was on my own, I bought lots of china, and boy did I hear about that! "Gary, how much did that cost?" "What do you need with all of that G-- D---- stuff?" etc. I always lied to her and told her is was a lot cheaper than what I was paying. Here is what I have:
1. Everyday- Yorktown, and the white pattern by Psaltcraf (sp).
2. Good everyday-Wedgewood Queen's Ware- Potpourri
3. Good china- Royal Dolton- Caryle
4. Good Christmas- Lenox- Holiday
Yes, I still have some of mom's Melmac; that stuff will never wear out! lol

 

[circlew]

Brian, that's beautiful Noritake. My sister has a set in a different pattern, that belonged to my dad's aunt & uncle. They got it sometime in the late 30's.

You mentioned Cincinnati; what area did you live in?

 

[whirlcool]

Gary:

My mother was exactly the same. For everyday use it was that turquoise and pink melmac. She had the complete set. Melmac coffee cups, melmac serving platters, melmac dishes and saucers. I hated the cheap feel of the stuff too. And you couldn't break it or even melt it I don't think. For the life of me I don't see what she saw in it.

My mom did have one set of fine china and silverware, but it came out only for the highest of high holidays. But as soon as that was cleaned and put back away it was back to the Melmac again.

The only plastic we have in our house is a few tupperware containers and some spatula's for use with our Techpans. Not one plastic plate, cup or glass. It's all Stoneware or China or glass. I made a vow when I left my house that I would never own any plastic cookware ever again! And we haven't.

For our current daily driver we use Bauhaus Original Design stoneware. It was designed by the Bauhaus of Germany around 1928 or so. It's "intelligent dinnerware". It's plain white with a rim around the edge. The plates lock together while stacked in the cupboard, the saucers lock on to the bowls to keep contents warm or cold, and the cups stack together. We've had it since 1986 and it's still in use and has a fantastic shine to it, even after years and years of dishwashing in dishwashers. It's just such a simple and classic design.

 

[norgeway]

I LOVE!

Melmac, My Mother hated ANYTHING that even hinted of mid century modern!!To me the tackier the better!!! We use Brookpark  square Melmac in pink and black,our real dinnerware is Taylor Smith and Taylor Modern.As to my Mothers and Aunts taste...it had to be early American, and floral everything with vomit green carpet!! If I NEVER see early American anything again it will be too soon!!LOL

 

[circlew]

We never had any Melmac, but my Aunt Eloise (now deceased) did. Her set had some pieces in Turquoise, and some in Coral. Rather than a solid color, they had a granite-like look to them. They survived Hurrican Camille in '69.

 

[xraytech]

Hans,

My taste in decor sounds very similar to your mother and aunts. For me it's Early American everything, and some floral thrown in. However I do have a few mid century modern things but it's mostly that warm inviting Early American

 

[norgeway]

Give me

Pointed legs on furniture with brass tips, cloth with Lurex gold and silver threads in it, chrome edges on the counter tops and pink or turquoise bathrooms!!!!!Atomic lamps,in general a house that looks like the inside of a 59 Cadillac!!LOL

 

[polkanut]

Cunningham & Pickett Norway Rose

I don't recall mentioning this before now, but last summer my wife happened to stop at a local thrift shop and noticed a huge collection of salt & pepper shakers that had just come in.  While looking at them she noticed a pair in perfect condition that looked like they matched our Norway Rose pattern, and the set was marked 50 cents.  She bought them, and when she got home she found that they did indeed match.  Later, when I got home, she had me look to see if Replacements.com had a pair, and for how much.  They did, and still do.  The current asking price is $169.95.

 

Since then, the thrift store staff has gotten a little smarter also.  All remaining salt & pepper shakers are now kept in a display case, and are priced @ $6.00 a pair.

http://replacements.com/webquote/CUPNOR.htm