Currier and Ives dinnerware is a vintage collection of china dinnerware, featuring a blue scene centre and scroll design. The collection was manufactured by Royal China from 1950 to 1970 and has since been discontinued. The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club was formed to encourage the preservation of Royal China dinnerware, and the collection remains popular today, with many pieces available on Etsy and Amazon.
What You'll Learn
Currier & Ives dinnerware collectors club exists
The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club exists and was established in 1996 to encourage the preservation of Royal China dinnerware. The club has a website and sponsors an annual meeting and convention. The club also issues an annual "commemorative" piece, which in the past has included a tea caddy, trivet/tile, spoon rest, candle lamp, plaque, mini pie baker, calendar plate, clock, napkin holder, clear glass pitcher, ice bucket, small oval platter, coasters, demitasse cups and saucers, teapot, plate, soap/lotion dispenser, pedestal cake plate, utility crock, cookie jar, ornaments, cheese board, canister set, sandwich tray, quiche baker, and more.
The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club also has a president, Tim Merli, who is a wealth of information about the Currier and Ives dishes. The dishes were produced by the Royal China Company of Sebring, Ohio, between 1949 and 1986 and were marketed extensively through grocery-store chains. They could also be bought by redeeming S&H Green Stamps, offered by banks as incentives to open new accounts, and were even tucked away in soap boxes as freebies for a while.
There is also a book about Currier and Ives Dinnerware by Debbie Coe and Randy Coe, who have been dealers in American glassware and ceramics for thirty-five years. The book includes nearly 150 photos that detail the shape and size of each piece, describe the scene, and provide a value.
Collectors of Currier and Ives Dinnerware can also find replacement pieces on websites such as replacements.com.
Royal China pattern is the most popular
The Currier and Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club was established to unite and encourage collectors of Royal China to preserve the history and products manufactured by the Royal China Company of Sebring, Ohio. The Royal China Company operated from 1934 to 1986 and produced a large variety of dinnerware patterns, with over 1400 patterns in total.
The most popular pattern is the blue and white Currier & Ives, also known as Currier and Ives Blue. This pattern was first produced in 1950 and features a charming multi-motif design with various blue and white scenes inspired by Currier & Ives prints. The scrolled border was designed by Gordon Parker, the company's art director at the time. The pattern was discontinued in 1970 but was later reintroduced in the mid-1970s.
The Currier and Ives Blue pattern can be found on a wide range of dinnerware pieces, including plates, bowls, cups, saucers, platters, and serving dishes. The pattern features scenes such as "The Old Grist Mill," "Early Winter," "Getting Ice," and "Maple Sugaring."
Collectors of Currier and Ives Royal China value the unique Americana designs and the variety of patterns available. The popularity of the blue and white pattern has led to a dedicated collector's market, with many pieces still sought-after and in use today.
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Collectors share info and learn about Royal China
The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club was formed to encourage the preservation of Royal China dinnerware. Members achieve this by sharing information and learning about Royal China and its history. The club also provides an opportunity for collectors to make new friends with similar interests.
Royal China has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the early 18th century. For many centuries, the secret of 'true' hard-paste porcelain manufacture was known only in China, making porcelain wares highly exotic and valuable in the West. As a result, these sought-after goods were transported to Europe by traders and later by the Dutch and English East India Companies.
The taste for porcelain wares grew among the wealthy in England, especially during the reign of Elizabeth I when items from the East were prized for their exoticism and rarity. One of the most devoted early collectors of porcelain was Mary II, who amassed a wealth of Chinese blue-and-white and blanc de Chine (white) porcelain for her apartments at Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace.
Today, collectors can find Royal China dinnerware sets in a variety of places, including online marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and specialized collector websites. These sets often include dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, teacups, saucers, and serving pieces.
In addition to learning about the history of Royal China, collectors can also attend conventions and join clubs specifically dedicated to Royal China dinnerware, such as the Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club. By connecting with other collectors and attending events, individuals can expand their knowledge, build their collections, and preserve the legacy of Royal China for future generations.
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Dinnerware includes plates, bowls, mugs, and more
Currier and Ives dinnerware is a popular choice for those seeking vintage tableware with a classic design. The range includes plates, bowls, mugs, cups, saucers, and more, with a blue and white colour scheme featuring various motifs.
Plates
The Currier and Ives range offers a variety of plates, including dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, and chop plates (round platters). The dinner plates, typically measuring 10 inches, feature designs such as "Old Grist Mill" and "The Old Homestead in Winter". Salad plates are generally smaller, around 7 to 8 inches in diameter, with patterns like "Washington Birthplace" and "Schoolhouse in Winter". Dessert plates and chop plates showcase scenes like "Getting Ice" and "A Snowy Morning".
Bowls
The Currier and Ives collection provides a selection of bowls for different purposes. There are rimmed soup bowls, often featuring the "Early Winter" design, and vegetable bowls measuring around 9 to 10 inches. Sauce or dessert bowls with a capacity of 4 ounces are also available, usually in sets of four, featuring designs such as "Old Farm Gate".
Mugs and Cups
For beverageware, the Currier and Ives line presents mugs, cups, and saucers. The mugs often showcase winter scenes, such as "The Farmer's Home Winter" and "American Winter Scene: Morning 1854". The cups and saucers are typically part of a teacup set, featuring blue and white designs like "Steamboat" and "The Rocky Mountains".
Additional Items
In addition to the standard dinnerware, the Currier and Ives collection offers a range of supplementary items. These include creamers and sugars, tumblers, tea and coffee servers, salt and pepper shakers, gravy boats, butter dishes, and more. The collection also extends to baking dishes, platters, and trays, providing a comprehensive tableware solution for those seeking a cohesive vintage aesthetic.
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Items feature blue and white designs with scrolls
The Currier and Ives dinnerware collection features blue and white designs with scrolls. The collection includes a range of items such as dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, cups and saucers, and serving plates and bowls. The designs feature a variety of scenes and patterns, including "Old Grist Mill", "Early Winter", "The Old Homestead in Winter", and "The Sleigh Race". The items are made of ceramic, china, ironstone, or glass, and some pieces are vintage or collectible.
One of the dinner plates in the collection is the Currier & Ives - Old Grist Mill 10-inch dinner plate. It has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Amazon and is made of fine materials. This plate, along with other items in the collection, is available for purchase on Amazon and Etsy.
The Currier and Ives Blue collection by Royal (USA) features a pattern of blue scene centres and scrolls with a multi-motif. This collection was discontinued in 1970 but is still available for purchase on replacement sites. The collection includes a variety of items such as plates, cups and saucers, bowls, platters and trays, and kitchen and cooking accessories.
The Currier and Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club was formed to encourage the preservation of Royal China dinnerware, including the Currier and Ives pattern. The club provides information and learning opportunities about Royal China and promotes friendships among fellow collectors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club was formed to encourage the preservation of Royal China dinnerware by sharing information and promoting learning about Royal China. The club also aims to foster new friendships among fellow collectors.
The most popular Royal China pattern is called "Currier & Ives", featuring a blue scene centre and scrolls with a multi-motif design.
Currier and Ives dinnerware can be purchased from various online retailers, including Amazon and Etsy. Individual sellers may also offer this dinnerware on these platforms.