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Finding the Right dining-entertaining for You
Your dining room table is a place where stories are shared and personalities shine — why not treat yourself and your guests to the finest antique and vintage glass, silver, ceramics and serveware for your meals?
Just like the people who sit around your table, your serveware has its own stories and will help you create new memories with your friends and loved ones. From ceramic pottery to glass vases, set your table with serving pieces that add even more personality, color and texture to your dining experience.
Invite serveware from around the world to join your table settings. For special occasions, dress up your plates with a striking Imari charger from 19th-century Japan or incorporate Richard Ginori’s Italian porcelain plates into your dining experience. Celebrate the English ritual of afternoon tea with a Japanese tea set and an antique Victorian kettle. No matter how big or small your dining area is, there is room for the stories of many cultures and varied histories, and there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to your meals.
Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is more durable than ceramic because it is denser. The latter is ideal for statement pieces — your tall mid-century modern ceramic vase is a guaranteed conversation starter. And while your earthenware or stoneware is maybe better suited to everyday lunches as opposed to the fine bone china you’ve reserved for a holiday meal, handcrafted studio pottery coffee mugs can still be a rich expression of your personal style.
“My motto is ‘Have fun with it,’” says author and celebrated hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran. “It’s yin and yang, high and low, Crate & Barrel with Christofle silver. I like to mix it up — sometimes in the dining room, sometimes on the kitchen banquette, sometimes in the loggia. It transports your guests and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”
Introduce elegance at supper with silver, such as a platter from celebrated Massachusetts silversmith manufacturer Reed and Barton or a regal copper-finish flatware set designed by International Silver Company, another New England company that was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898. By then, Meriden had already earned the nickname “Silver City” for its position as a major hub of silver manufacturing.
At the bar, try a vintage wine cooler to keep bottles cool before serving or an Art Deco decanter and whiskey set for after-dinner drinks — there are many possibilities and no wrong answers for tableware, barware and serveware. Explore an expansive collection of antique and vintage glass, ceramics, silver and serveware today on 1stDibs.
- Is Limoges china bone china?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Limoges china is very similar to bone china, but it was not until the late 1700s that the ingredient kaolin, which is integral to bone china, was discovered near Limoges. Therefore, Limoges china made before this point is not truly bone china. Shop an array of authentic Limoges china on 1stDibs.
- Is Wedgwood bone china?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wedgwood is bone china. According to its website, bone china is considered one of the most refined and luxurious materials for table use, no matter what the meal or occasion. Wedgwood has a long history of high-quality and luxurious bone china. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic bone china pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What does bone china mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term bone china means porcelain dinnerware and serveware made of a mix of bone ash, kaolin clay and feldspathic material. It has a translucent look that works well with highly detailed painted finishes. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of bone china.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Whether bone china is still made from bones varies from maker to maker. Many manufacturers continue to produce bone china out of the traditional blend of china stone, china clay and animal bone ash. However, others have switched to synthetic bone ash for producing all or some of their pieces. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of bone china.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Whether bone china or porcelain is better is a matter of personal opinion. Fired at a higher temperature, porcelain tends to have a more durable finish, but bone china is less likely to chip and crack. Some people prefer the weighty feel of porcelain. Others find the lighter quality of bone china to be preferable. Both bone china and porcelain can stand the test of time when finely crafted and properly cared for. Shop a wide range of porcelain and bone china tableware on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024To identify your bone china mark, try snapping a photograph with your phone or tablet. You can then perform a reverse image search and look for a match. If this proves unsuccessful, type a description of the mark into a search engine and look for the mark in trusted online resources. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer assist you with identification. Explore a wide range of bone china on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Thomas Frye introduced bone china to England when he began producing pieces at his factory in Bow, East London in 1748. However, the pieces made by Josiah Spode in Stoke-on-Trent starting in 1789 more closely resemble the decorative china that England is best known for. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of bone china.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Most Spode is bone china. During its early decades, Spode was the first to develop a standard formula for the making of bone china, and most of its pieces made after this innovation are examples of bone china. However, particularly early on, Spode did make other types of pottery, such as earthenware. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Spode china.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Wedgwood is made with bone china, which is a type of porcelain. The fine bone china brand was founded in England in 1759, and is still considered one of the top porcelain makers of today. You can find antique and contemporary Wedgwood designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Generally, bone china is more expensive than porcelain. This is largely due to the differences in materials and manufacturing techniques. Keep in mind that some porcelain ware may be pricier than the average bone china due to its rarity, age, maker or other factors. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of bone china and porcelain.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, bone china is still made in England. As of January 2022, many manufacturers still produced the china in the UK, including Royal Worcester, Spode and Wedgwood. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of English bone china from some of the world’s top makers and sellers.
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