Collector’s Gallery with Dr. Anthony Cavo – Lenox Plates

Q: Could you please tell me the origin and value of these Lenox plates inherited from my grandmother and mother? The plates measure approximately 7 1/2 inches in diameter, and the center hand-painted scenes are approximately 4 inches wide. They are in excellent condition although “well-traveled.” Above the Lenox wreath marking, each dish has handwritten […]

Dictionary of Marks

The first American porcelain was made in the 18th century. Few factories stayed in business for long until the late 1800s. By then, there were several American companies making porcelain. Many made utilitarian items like tableware and toilet sets, but some made fine hand-painted decorative pieces, too. Around the mid-20th century, American porcelain production declined […]

Fine Dinnerware

Fine china is not just for holidays anymore. Increased home entertaining has given rise to using fine old china—once considered old-fashioned—for entertaining and family dinners. People are discovering that Haviland, Lenox, Delftware, Royal Copenhagen and Wedgwood plates and serving pieces make everyday meals look special. There was a 39 percent increase in searches for fine dinnerware on Etsy in 2021. eBay also has seen a significant surge in searches and sales for china and porcelain brands including Lenox, Noritake and Herend.

 

Egg-actly the Right Time for Collectible Deviled Eggs Platters 

This is the time of year that many pull out a plate they haven’t seen for a year — the deviled egg platter, or egg plate, with its perfect oval indentations. Deviling is a term for mixing hot spices into foods. Serving deviled eggs is common during the Easter season. The deviled egg first became a popular snack to be served with drinks during the 1930s. Hundreds of different deviled egg plates of glass or china were made to showcase the appetizer. American egg plates can be found in many Depression glass patterns. Duncan & Miller Glass Company is thought to have the earliest version in the Early American Sandwich pattern. Imperial, Heisey, Spode, Lenox, Anchor Hocking, Fenton, Fire King, Fostoria, Hazel Atlas, Indiana, Jeannette, and Pyrex are just a few of the other well-known glass makers who make egg platters. During the 1950s and 1960s, many china patterns included a deviled egg plate. The egg plate’s popularity peaked in the 1950s. 

Today, you can find deviled egg platters in thrift stores, flea markets and other online vintage sellers. Or you can just check your mother or grandmother’s china cabinet!  

Here are some collectible platters for those who love the cooked egg yolk, mustard and mayonnaise mixture topped with paprika and put back into a half egg-white “shell.” 

 

Photo: Dandelion Wishes

Photo: The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.

Photo: The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.

 

Belleek

The glaze on belleek closely resembles a piece of polished mother-of-pearl. It is creamy yellow. Occasionally, pieces are decorated with gold or very pale colors. The open basketwork designs are, perhaps, the most famous. Dishes were made to resemble shells or flowers. A few pieces were made of belleek with a Parian figure incorporated into […]