Syracuse China Old Ivory Garnet and Gold Medallion Dinner Plates Set of 10
Product Description And Additional Pictures
We are offering a stunning set of 10 service or dinner plates produced by Syracuse China. The plates are 10-1/4" in diameter and feature a gold, acid-etched 1-1/2" wide border abutted by a wide, richly hued ruby red band. Two more thin gold borders frame the ruby band near the verge, and the center of each plate is then graced with a large gold medallion. The combination of rich gilding and the ruby red is extremely elegant. Although the 'Old Ivory' backstamp (see photograph) was used from 1927 to 1960, we believe that the plates were produced sometime during the late 1920's to the late 1930's, because the medallion design used on these plates is a style very similar to Limoges and other European plates produced during the first quarter of the 20th century. These plates are absolutely beautiful, and in excellent condition. They have no chips, cracks or abrasions, and look as if they were never used. Perhaps the set spent its previous life in a china cabinet, or in a box.
Syracuse China is well known for its sturdy and attractive china produced for the hotel, restaurant and railroad service sectors. However, Syracuse also produced exceptionally fine china for those wealthier and discerning individuals who wanted and could afford to purchase dinnerware that was of a very high caliber. This set is an excellent example of Syracuse China’s high-end work. If you purchase this set you will, of course, be free to use the plates however you want. But we would urge you to use these fine, old plates for display on your table or in your china cabinet. These plates have gone for nearly 100 years without experiencing a significant utensil mark, and we are sure you will take appropriate care of them. In addition, the old gilding does not hold up well in a dishwasher, so please consider hand washing these lovely plates!
BRIEF HISTORY: Syracuse China has a long and interesting history in fine china production: founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P. Co.) in the town of Geddes, New York, Onondaga Pottery initially produced earthenware, but in the late 19th century also began producing fine china. Because the Onondaga pottery was not located near any of the clay beds used in the production of porcelain and china, O.P. Co began shipping the clay in on the railroad. In 1885, James Pass, the founder's son, joined O.P.Co as Superintendent and later became its President. During his twenty-eight years with the company, Pass made the company a national leader in ceramic research. In 1888 Pass developed America's first truly vitreous china body. He introduced the new china to the public in 1891 with a line of fancy accessory pieces called 'Imperial Geddo'. This new ware won the medal for translucent china at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Two years later, in 1895, the name "Syracuse China" began appearing on the backstamp of this award-winning china. Syracuse China continued to be a leader in ceramics research: During World War II, the company developed and manufactured non-detectable ceramic anti-tank land mines, eventually receiving the distinguished Army-Navy 'E' award for excellence in service to the war effort. Regrettably, the manufacturing facility in Syracuse closed in 2009 after 138 years in operation, and production was removed from the United States.