Dinnerware Diary

Bob White by Red Wing Potteries

The Bob White pattern produced by Red Wing Potteries includes whimsical depictions of a mother bobwhite quail and her chicks rendered in a muted color palette of blues and browns on a speckled background. The Bob White items displayed in our museum include a 2-quart covered casserole with metal stand, a beverage server, a figural hors d'oeuvre holder, and an oval platter with burner stand. Produced from 1954 to 1967, Bob White was the most popular pattern ever produced by Red Wing - during its thirteen-year run, more than fifty different Bob White pieces were produced. This delightful pattern was designed by Charles Murphy, one of the most important figures in Red Wing company history.

Murphy grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio, an area known for its pottery production. Producing his first pottery designs while still in high school, Murphy went on to study at the Cleveland Art Institute, where his talent won him a scholarship to study abroad for a year. After graduation, Murphy worked as a designer for several pottery companies, including Homer Laughlin. In 1940, Murphy was hired to be the design director at Red Wing, where one of his first acts was implementing a more efficient, assembly-line process for decorating the company's hand-painted products. During WWII, Murphy served as a combat engineer for the U.S. military, earning a gold star for his paintings of battle scenes. Returning to the company after the war, Murphy distinguished himself with his playful and stylish designs for cookie jars, figurines, statues, and dinnerware. In 1949, Murphy left Red Wing, but returned in 1953 and stayed until the company closed in 1967. The designs introduced by Murphy during his tenure at Red Wing helped the company achieve great success, and have left an indelible mark on the art pottery and dinnerware world.

Nestled by the Mississippi River in the shadow of a river promontory, the city of Red Wing, Minnesota had become an industrial powerhouse in the upper Midwest by the late nineteenth century. Author Ray Reiss in his book, "Red Wing Art Pottery," notes that the city was incorporated in 1864, just six years after Minnesota had been admitted as a state into the Union. Red Wing bustled with manufacturing plants, grain elevators, and extensive docks as a port on the Mississippi. After deposits of clay were discovered nearby, the city ultimately became the largest single producer of utilitarian stoneware in the nation, writes Ray Pahnke in an article, "The Largest Pottery," in the "Red Wing Collectors Society Newsletter."

A potter, German immigrant John Paul (or, as listed in some accounts, Joseph Pohl), is credited with discovering the clay deposits near Red Wing in 1861. Paul sold his handmade wares to friends and neighbors, and small potteries sprang up in the area. Red Wing Potteries, Inc., founded in 1936, emerged from a series of different companies, the first of which being the Red Wing Stoneware Company, founded in 1877. The handmade tradition of Paul's wares was carried forward in the products of Red Wing Potteries. With the development of modern mechanical refrigeration, along with the passage of the Volstead Act and the era of Prohibition, commercial demand for stoneware jugs and crocks declined dramatically. Responding to these marketing changes in the late 1920s, Red Wing Potteries introduced its Art Pottery line, crafting decorative flower pots and kitchenware. In 1932, the company began producing Art Pottery for legendary marketing agent George Rumrill. Pieces from the decorative flower pot, kitchenwares, and Rumrill collections represent important contributions to the history of the Arts and Crafts movement in the U.S.

At about the same time that the company changed its name to Red Wing Potteries in 1936, it began to produce dinnerware. Bob White was one of the patterns in the company's "Casual" line, introduced in 1955 in response to the changing American lifestyle following the end of World War II. Beginning in the mid to late 1950s, Red Wing began to face stiff competition from foreign markets, and the company was forced to close its doors in 1967 following a labor strike. Today, Red Wing pieces are highly sought after by collectors.

Warming Winter Designs

Nikko Winter Wonderland features a beautiful, folk art tableau of ice skaters on a frozen pond under the light of a crescent moon and a star-filled night sky, surrounded by charming depictions of wintertime houses and trees. Winter Wonderland perfectly complements the accompanying Swirline-Red glassware and Camden flatware. In 1908, Nikko Ceramics was founded in Kanazawa, Japan. The company moved its operation to Hakusan City, Japan in 1961, and founded a subsidiary in the United States in 1968. According to company literature, Nikko creates tableware "with the spirit of craftsmanship and a company culture of high aesthetic sense." Nikko products have won a worldwide reputation for quality and design that endures today.

Swirline-Red, a bold blown glass pattern produced by Pier 1 Crystal, features a brilliant red stripe that swirls gracefully around the clear bowl, a smooth stem, and a round foot. This is a fun and eye-catching glassware design! The Pier 1 company began with a single store in San Mateo, California in 1962. Pier 1 has carried a wide selection of merchandise through the years, and has grown to be the largest specialty retailer of imported home furnishings and decor with over 1,000 locations.

Wallace Silver's Camden is a delightful stainless steel flatware pattern featuring a graceful handle design with floral elements and a glossy finish - Camden is an eye-catching pattern! Wallace Silver, established in Connecticut nearly two centuries ago, has long been recognized for excellence in tableware craftsmanship. The founder of the company, Robert Wallace, was born in 1815 into a family of silversmiths who had immigrated to New England from Scotland. Apprenticed to William Mix, a renowned Connecticut spoon maker, Wallace, after mastering his trade, purchased a dilapidated grist mill and began to produce his own silver flatware in 1833. Camden is just one of many examples of Wallace Silver's high-quality work.

Art Deco China, Crystal, and Silverplate Patterns

Art Deco design themes from the early part of the twentieth century are timeless, and typically feature understated sophistication and elegance, as can be seen here in three very interesting patterns; Deauville by Community China, Deauville silverplate by Oneida, and American-Clear by Fostoria. Tableware patterns from the Art Deco period are characterized by repeating geometric patterns, sleek lines, and sharp contrasts. Art Deco derived from the historic Paris Exhibition of 1925, which saw the flowing motifs of Art Noveau begin to fall out of favor while a celebration of the marriage of art and industry began.

Deauville by Community China is a great example of applied art from this period. This pattern features a striking 10-sided dinner plate with platinum trim and mono-chromatic black triangles, done on a cream-colored body. Not only was the pattern boldly designed, it was a trend setter in that most of the tableware of the period featured gold trim. In Deauville, Community China wanted a pattern that represented the spirit of the times, and they succeeded beautifully! The silverplate pattern Deauville made its debut in 1929. Each piece in this glossy flatware design is tip heavy and features a triangular design complementary to Community China's Deauville. These two patterns together create a simply amazing look.

American-Clear by Fostoria is a heavy pressed glass featuring a repeating prismatic cube design, resting atop a multi-faceted stem and hexagonal base. At the time the pattern was introduced, the Fostoria Glass Company designers wrote the following description - "It is impossible to produce by illustration the real appearance of this design, which is prismatic in effect; by either artificial or sun light it produces all the 'prismatic' fire to a greater extent than any table glassware pattern that we have ever produced."

Harmonious Designs, Outstanding Artistry

The Blue Reverie pattern by William Roberts showcases artisanship of the highest order, with a variety of graceful designs in an attractive blue and white color motif. Blue Reverie was first produced in 2005, but possesses a timeless elegance and charm. The various blue hues of this multi-motif pattern are wonderfully vivid, with design elements that include swirls, flowers, dots, and other striking geometric flourishes. This is a wonderful pattern from William Roberts Fine China, a company renowned for its design and manufacturing excellence.

Featuring beautiful criss-cross cuts on a square-shaped bowl that flares at the top, a multisided stem, and a starburst cut on a round foot, Kinsale crystal by Waterford is an exquisite pattern. With its eye-catching design, Kinsale is an especially fine accompaniment to Blue Reverie china and Heiress flatware. Waterford Crystal dates back to the Flint Glass Works, founded in 1783 on the quay in the port town of Waterford when George and William Penrose opened the Flint Glass Works. In 1788, Waterford produced a glassware service as a gift to her Majesty, Charlotte Sophia, wife to King George III. The King and Queen were so charmed by the crystal service that they ordered the set to be displayed at Cheltenham castle. Today "Waterford" is synonymous with fine crystal, and is found in households around the world.

Oneida Heiress is a stylish stainless pattern that features a chic, flowing design, and a glossy finish. Oneida, Ltd. grew out of the original Oneida Community founded in upstate New York by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848. This Christian communal society was based upon the principles of individual self-perfection and shared property. Many products were manufactured by the Oneida Community, including animal traps, silk, chains, and, eventually, some of the world's most recognizable, high-quality, and beautifully designed flatware. During World War I and World War II, Oneida began producing many products for the U.S. military, including ammunition clips, combat knives, surgical instruments, and silverware for the Army and Navy. When stainless steel was introduced to the market in the early twentieth century, it failed to make an immediate impression on the flatware industry. Oneida, however, decided to shift its focus from sterling to stainless flatware production. Strong research and development greatly improved the quality of stainless steel as a dinnerware material, facilitating Oneida's success in the stainless flatware market. Today, Oneida, Ltd. is one of the world's largest marketers of stainless steel flatware, positioned to continue being a leader in the tableware industry for generations to come.

Fun Winter Patterns, Charming Design!

Designed by artist Leslie Beck, Winter by Sakura is a charming multi-motif pattern decorated with various folk art renderings of snowmen, cast against a cool winter-blue background.  Adding depth and luster to each piece is a black and white checked border.  Each snowman is dressed in various hats and scarves, with some, like the one here, even sporting vests! The making of snowmen dates back to the Middle Ages, where townspeople often gathered in the streets after a snowfall to make various and interesting snowy figurals.  People would bring items from their home to personalize their winter creations, including coal, buttons, dried fruits, vegetables, kindling, and scarves.  There are some things that haven't changed since the Middle Ages, and making snowmen during the winter remains a popular winter activity to this day, with many a snowman connoisseur collecting fun winter-themed tableware and collectible pieces.

Camelot-Red, a gorgeous blown glass pattern produced by Zrike Crystal, features a bold shape and a vibrant red bowl color. This eye-catching glassware design serves as the perfect complement to the fun Winter china and the understated American Bead stainless patterns. Raymond Zrike founded the Zrike Company in 1983, following a long career in the tabletop market (before starting his own business, Zrike served as U.S. president of Royal Worcester, Kosta Boda, and Georg Jensen). The Zrike Company was founded to import European tableware and giftware to the United States, and the majority of the company's exclusive lines are manufactured by top factories throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Today, the Zrike Company is one of the top tabletop and giftware resources in the United States.

International Silver American Bead is an elegant stainless flatware pattern with a chic beaded design, a pointed tip, and a glossy finish. International Silver started as a combination of America's greatest silver manufacturers. During the American Colonial period, New England was home to many artisans producing high-quality pewter, sterling, and silverplate, primarily in Connecticut. Around 1808, Ashbile Griswold opened a pewter shop in Meriden, Connecticut. Through mergers with regional companies, Griswold's original shop grew to comprise fourteen silver manufacturers, including Holmes and Edwards (Bridgeport), Meriden Britannia (Meriden), and Rogers Brothers (Hartford). In 1898, the International Silver Company became truly "international," establishing offices in England and Canada. Throughout the years, International Silver products have remained immensely popular.

Colossal "Historic America" Cup & Saucer

Adorned with the "View of Boston" motif, the cup in this colossal Historic America-Blue cup and saucer set by Johnson Brothers measures a whopping 9 3/8 inches across, while the saucer is an equally impressive 11 1/4 inches wide! Historic America is an iconic pattern that features a variety of distinctive American-themed tableaux like "The Alamo, Texas," "View of Niagara Falls," "San Francisco During the Gold Rush," and many others. The pattern was produced in several different color schemes, including pink, blue, brown, and brown multicolor.

The practice of using American scenes to decorate tableware is almost as old as America itself. According to Jeanne Morgan Zarucchi in "Visions of America: Johnson Brothers Pottery in the US Market, 1872-2002," American-themed scenes began appearing on Liverpool creamware around 1790. The decorative elements applied to tableware at that time were typically scenes of major American cities, and were based on extant engravings. However, these decorative patterns only occupied a small niche in England's export market. From the early to mid-nineteenth century, most china exported to America from England was plain white granite ware. In order to appeal to the American consumer, many of these undecorated patterns were named for populous American cities, like "Savannah," or popular figures, like "Franklin."

In 1939, Johnson Brothers introduced the decorative Historic America pattern, partly in response to similar American-themed patterns produced at the time by other companies, such as Homer Laughlin's Historical America and Vernon Kilns' Our America. Producing patterns bound for export abroad, like Historic America, was also a way for Johnson Brothers to stay afloat during WWII (the manufacturing of ceramics for the domestic market was put on hold in England during WWII, but production of wares designed for export was allowed). The distinctive oak leaf and acorn border design of Historic America was copied almost exactly from a nineteenth-century design by Ralph Stevenson. Most of the different American scenes featured in the pattern were engraved by artist Claude Whittingham, and were based on previous engravings by Currier & Ives, many of which he updated with his own touches. In addition to updating these existing engravings, additional designs were added to reflect America's expansion during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. These designs deviated from the traditional designs centered on landmarks and cityscapes to include American-centric themes like westward expansion (e.g. "The Mail and the Stage Coach," and "Covered Wagons and the Rocky Mountains"). Historic America was a success upon its premiere in 1939, and was produced for 35 years, until 1974. Because of its popularity, a new version of the pattern was reintroduced in 2002.

The Charles Street Works factory, in the Staffordshire area of England, had already established a legacy for crafting fine dinnerware when Alfred, Fredrick, and Henry Johnson acquired it via a bankruptcy sale in 1882. Grandsons of the famous Meakin dinnerware lineage, the brothers shared a heritage in the production of fine dinnerware. The purchase of the factory in Stoke-on-Trent marked their first venture as entrepreneurs. Building a reputation on basic whiteware known as "semi-porcelain," the company created a slip that had the delicate characteristics of fine china, but the durability of ironstone. A fourth brother, Robert, relocated to the United States around 1900 to establish a presence in the tableware market that was emerging in the United States.

Johnson Brothers continued its growth in the tableware industry into World War I. With new techniques, the company was able to introduce wares that, when chipped, revealed an underlayer that was the same color as the outer glazed body. Brighter colors and award-winning designs, like Old Britain Castles and Historic America, became very popular in England and the United States. In addition, the company won the favor of the Queen Of England, not once, but twice. She awarded the company the "Queen's Award to Industry" for their contributions to the tableware industry and to the English economy.

World War II nearly halted production at Johnson Brothers factories. Although a struggle, the company managed to survive this hardship with sporadic shipments of product to the United States. War damage and the need for increased productivity dictated a major overhaul of the Johnson Brothers' factories. Modern equipment and larger facilities were installed to improve the day-to-day production capability of the company. Various plants in England, Canada, and Australia were purchased for decorating and glazing and firing of pieces. In 1968, to offer access to even larger markets, and to remain competitive, Johnson Brothers joined the Wedgwood Group, which in turn was purchased by Waterford in 1986.

Impeccable Tableware Craftsmanship

Antique-Emerald by Cris d'Arques/Durand is a beautiful pressed glass pattern featuring an exquisite design of arches and ornate, decorative cutting. The intricate and elegant design of Antique-Emerald perfectly complements the bowl design of the accompanying Wexford-Clear glassware and the linear handle design of Crescendo flatware. Antique-Emerald is produced by J.G. Durand, which is the world's largest manufacturer of lead crystal. Cris d'Arques is a Durand line made in the city of Arques, France. As a French company, J.G. Durand is known for exhibiting great national pride via the expression of the grand architectural and artistic heritage of France. For that reason, many Cris d'Arques patterns, like Tuilleries/Villandry and Versailles, are named after castles and chateaus throughout the country.

Produced for over 30 years, from 1967 to 1998, Anchor Hocking Wexford-Clear is clear pressed glass with crisscross cuts, a multisided stem, and round foot with a starburst cut design. The Hocking Glass Company was formed in 1905 in Lancaster, Ohio, and originally produced glass lamp chimneys. As the company expanded, production grew to include a variety of glassware, both plain and decorated, for commercial and home use. In 1928, Hocking Glass was the first company to produce automatic pressed tableware, and became one of the first companies to introduce lines of brightly-colored tableware. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Hocking Glass acquired other glass companies, including the Lancaster Glass Company, the Standard Glass Manufacturing Company, the General Glass Corporation, and many others, before itself being acquired by Anchor Cap Corporation in 1937. Expansion of the Anchor Hocking company continued as new factories were added in Pennsylvania and Texas and a number of other glass companies were acquired, each adding manufacturing innovations and a diverse collection of product lines to the company's portfolio. Today, Anchor Hocking remains a leader in the production of industrial and consumer products.

Reed & Barton's Crescendo is a gorgeous stainless pattern that features a chic ribbed design and a glossy finish. Crescendo is emblematic of its maker, Reed & Barton of Taunton, MA, a company that traces its origins to a jewelry store founded by Isaac Babbitt in 1822. After changes in ownership, the company began to use the "Reed & Barton" stamp on its silver in the 1840s. One of Reed & Barton's best-known patterns is Francis I. Introduced in 1907, Francis I quickly became a favorite of nobility and presidents. No less than four U.S. presidents dined with Francis I - Woodrow Wilson, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and Gerald Ford. In more recent years, the company has also been recognized for its high-quality stainless steel patterns, like the Crescendo pattern featured here.

Mid-Century Modern China, Crystal and Stainless Patterns

Mid-century modern tableware designs, which are classic representations of the applied art of mid-20th century America, feature clean, informal lines and natural shapes. The three patterns featured here were very popular mid-century modern designs, and were the essence of modernity during the period from 1954-1966.

Franciscan Starburst was introduced in 1954 and its pieces featured an out-of-the-ordinary shape known as the "Eclipse Shape", designed by the renowned George T. James. The Eclipse shape can be best described as slightly oval or even ovoid. Starburst would prove a radical departure from prior tableware design, using geometric turquoise, yellow, and green star designs for a modern earthenware design that was perfect for the start of the space age! In additional to a range of neat place setting pieces, the pattern features a large assortment of serving pieces including handled jelly plates, egg cups and canister sets, along with unusual items such as salt and pepper mill sets. Today Starburst is collectible and considered representative of the best in mid-century modern design.

Fostoria Stardust was introduced in 1957, and is known as Rock Crystal Cutting #851. It is a polished crystal cutting featuring a couple of different starburst motifs to create a very unique and dramatic design. This pattern has six different stemmed piece types including the goblet, wine, sherbet, iced tea, juice, and cordial, enough to meet the needs of the most trend-conscious hostess. Also in the pattern are crystal serving pieces including the creamer, sugar, and various relish trays.

Oneida Twin Star was an instant hit with mid-20th century customers with its rhythmic asymmetrical star and dot design. Twin Star was marketed by Betty Crocker and promoted via very popular coupons from flour, cake and pie crust mixes. Industrious homemakers used a combination of these coupons and dollars to set an entire table in Twin Star. The pattern evokes memories of fun times to this day. Twin Star came in a wide range of piece types; you could start your set with very basic place settings and serving and accessory pieces could be added as you baked more cakes, including pieces like gravy ladles, carving sets, and casserole spoons. This pattern also came with cocktail forks and iced tea spoons, which were used at many a mid-century dinner party. Twin Star became one of most popular of the Oneida/Betty Crocker patterns of the mid-century modern era.

Art Deco Design, European Styling

 Produced by Mikasa, Erte' Plates is a gorgeous series of collectible bone china decorated with Art Deco designs by Erte, the artist and designer widely considered to be the father of the Art Deco movement. This week's featured plate is titled "Le Soleil," and features a stylized drawing of a fashionable woman done in the clean, sharp, lines and bold colors that came to characterize the Art Deco movement. Erte was born in St. Petersburg, Russia on November 23, 1892. At the age of 22, Erte was offered a job creating cover art for Harper's Bazaar; he went on to illustrate 250 covers for the magazine over the course of the next 40 years. His illustrations also appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and Vogue. In addition to his illustrations, Erte designed costumes for both movie and theater productions in Hollywood and on Broadway, and produced art in various other mediums. The Erte' Plates series is a wonderful homage to Erte's artistry, and beautifully represents the craftsmanship and production excellence associated with Mikasa.

Featuring a beautiful variety of polished cuts on a v-shaped bowl that flares magnificently at the top, a multisided stem, and a starburst cut on a round foot, Ashbourne crystal by Waterford is an exquisite pattern. With its elaborate, eye-catching design, Ashbourne is an especially fine accompaniment to Erte' Plates china and Elysee flatware. Waterford Crystal dates back to the Flint Glass Works, founded in 1783 on the quay in the port town of Waterford when George and William Penrose opened the Flint Glass Works. In 1788, Waterford produced a glassware service as a gift to her Majesty, Charlotte Sophia, wife to King George III. The King and Queen were so charmed by the crystal service that they ordered the set to be displayed at Cheltenham castle. Today "Waterford" is synonymous with fine crystal, and is found in households around the world.

Elysee (Sterling) by Puiforcat Silver features a glossy finish and a narrow waist that broadens into an ornate handle adorned with graceful designs and a delicate plume at the tip. French silversmith Jean Puiforcat is widely considered to be one of the foremost silver designers of the twentieth century. Descended from generations of silversmiths, Puiforcat entered the family business in 1920. Puiforcat's early works drew inspiration from early nineteenth-century English silver designs and incorporated natural elements, keeping with the art nouveau style popular at the time. As Puiforcat's career progressed, however, his pieces began exhibiting less ornamentation, and moved toward a more streamlined, Art Deco aesthetic. It was around this time that Puiforcat began to develop a profound interest in mathematics. In a 1927 article, Puiforcat stated, "The weakness of certain of my pieces, that I am the first to recognize, comes from my incomplete education in numbers. My evolution follows my studies in geometry, in trigonometry." Puiforcat's fascination with mathematics influenced many of his silver designs; he was especially interested in employing the golden ratio to guide the proportions of his works. Although Puiforcat employed precise calculations in his pieces, he did so while maintaining a warm, sensual aesthetic. His legacy is one of a silversmith who created functional silver that continues to provide a "poetic sense to geometry."

Design Excellence From Wedgwood & Gorham

Runnymede-Blue by Wedgwood China is traditional fine bone English china, produced between 1972 and 1998. It features a pink shell design with scrolls set against a sharp cobalt blue background, a floral center design, and a golden yellow band around a smooth rim. Wedgwood China was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood I as the "Ivy House Works" in Burslem, England. Josiah, in addition to being an entrepreneur, was a conchologist, a person intensely interested in the study and classification of seashells. He was a regular on the beaches of England, always searching for rare shells to add to his collection and to use as subjects for modeling new dinnerware patterns and pieces. (His son, Josiah II, would later hire the Romantic poet and visionary artist, William Blake, to prepare engravings for the company's catalog.) A great example of the seashell heritage at Wedgwood is the gorgeous Runnymede-Blue pattern featured here.

Produced between 1960 and 1999, Cherrywood-Clear by Gorham Crystal is a classic crystal design, concave-shaped and flaring at the top, with criss-cross cuts in a fan design on the bowl. The stem is multi-sided, with a round foot. The unique faceted cuts in Cherrywood sparkle like diamonds and change any table setting from ordinary to extraordinary, adding a sparkle and brilliance that is breathtaking!

Named after the famous French palace of Chantilly, Gorham's Chantilly pattern is the most popular sterling flatware pattern ever produced. Chantilly's graceful border and floral designs were inspired by the Rococo style of early eighteenth century France.  During the reign of King Louis XV, Rococo emerged in response to the heavier, highly ornate art of the late Baroque period. Rococo comprised elaborate designs with playful swirls, scrolls, and decoration. The Chantilly pattern features a distinctive scroll design with fleur-de-lis accents. According to Gorham literature, Chantilly is "essentially a pattern that will appeal to those who seek in the family silver a certain simplicity with just enough ornament to relieve it of the appearance of plainness."  Gorham Silver's founder, Jabez Gorham, was born into a family of eight and apprenticed to eighteenth-century New England silver patriarch Nehemiah Dodge at a very early age. In 1831, Gorham founded his own company in Providence, RI. He quickly established a reputation for creating hand-crafted silver of the highest quality. Gorham Silver's reputation for excellence endures today.