Victorian Dinnerware: 1880S Style

Victorian dinnerware from the 1880s is highly sought-after for its intricate designs, superior craftsmanship, and use of materials such as porcelain, bone china, and sterling silver. The sets often include dinner plates, soup plates, salad plates, cups, saucers, serving dishes, and teapots, with some featuring intricate patterns and floral motifs. These antique dinnerware sets are popular among collectors and those looking to add a decorative touch to their homes.

Victorian dinnerware materials

The Victorian era saw a variety of materials used for dinnerware, with some being more common than others. Here is an overview of the different materials used during this period:

Porcelain

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that was highly valued during the Victorian era. It is known for its exceptional quality and elegant designs. Royalty Porcelain, for example, is a well-known brand that offers intricate and sophisticated dinnerware made of fine porcelain. Porcelain is thin, fine, and can be almost translucent. However, producing it successfully required specific clay and extremely high firing temperatures, which limited its production in America during the 19th century. As a result, much of the porcelain dinnerware during this period was imported from England, China, France, and the Netherlands.

Bone China

Bone china is another type of ceramic that was used for Victorian dinnerware. It is known for its high quality and durability. Royalty Porcelain, mentioned earlier, also produces dinnerware using bone china, often featuring intricate designs and 24K gold plating.

Earthenware

Earthenware is a broad term for pottery made from earthen materials. It includes a variety of specific types of ceramics, such as ironstone, transferware, and yellowware. Earthenware was commonly used for dinnerware during the Victorian era, especially in the form of ironstone and transferware.

Ironstone

Ironstone is a type of unprinted soft-paste pottery known for its durability and crisp white appearance. It became popular in England in the early 19th century and was widely used in America by the 1860s. Ironstone was affordable and practical, making it a favourite among many households.

Transferware

Transferware is a type of soft-paste china decorated with printed scenes and patterns. The designs were often in blue, mulberry, brown, or green, and the technique involved transferring patterns from engraved metal plates onto the pottery. Transferware reminded Americans of the more expensive porcelain owned by the wealthy. It was mostly produced in England and Asia and then imported to America.

Other Materials

Other materials used for Victorian dinnerware include stoneware, redware, pewter, tin, copper, and glass. Stoneware and redware were the earliest types of ceramics made in America, and they were used for food storage and plating. Pewter was also used for plates, bowls, and drinking vessels. Tin and copper were common materials for cups and plates, especially for outdoor dining and reenactments. Glassware also started to be imported and used during the Victorian era.

Victorian dinnerware patterns

The Victorian era witnessed a flourish of creativity in dinnerware design. During this period, intricate floral patterns, delicate hand-painted motifs, and gold accents adorned fine china. Porcelain and bone china were highly sought-after materials, and exquisite hand-painted designs were considered the ultimate luxury.

One notable pattern from the 1880s is the Royal Worcester Crocus Dessert Plate, which embodies the essence of Victorian dinnerware design. It features a delicate purple crocus flower with intricate gold accents on a white backdrop. Each piece in the set is uniquely designed, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.

Another example is the Victorian Rosenthal Tilly Sevres dinner service, which combines intricate patterns with a soft colour palette. This set features a mix of floral motifs and geometric designs, adding a touch of elegance to any dining experience.

Today, collectors scour antique stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces to uncover hidden gems of Victorian dinnerware. These vintage patterns offer a glimpse into the past and are sought after for their intricate designs, fine materials, and historical significance. Whether it's a complete set or a single plate, they add a touch of elegance and whimsy to modern dining.

Victorian flatware

During the 1880s, flatware was evolving rapidly, with new patterns and designs emerging. Here is an overview of Victorian flatware from that decade:

Materials and Manufacturers:

The 1880s saw a variety of materials used for flatware, including sterling silver, silverplate, and stainless steel. Some of the notable manufacturers from this period include Tiffany & Co., Gorham, Rogers & Bros., and Holmes & Edwards.

Patterns and Designs:

The Aesthetic Movement heavily influenced flatware designs in the 1880s, with intricate patterns and ornate details. Some of the popular patterns from this decade include "Angelo," "Assyrian," "Crescent," and "Daisy." These patterns often featured motifs like leaves, scrollwork, and floral designs.

Types of Flatware:

The Industrial Revolution played a significant role in expanding the variety of flatware available. During the 1880s, flatware was created for specific types of food, resulting in a wide range of specialised utensils. Here are some examples:

• Spoons: tablespoon, teaspoon, ladle, soup spoon, dessert spoon, citrus spoon, egg spoon
• Knives: steak knife, butter knife, fruit knife, carving knife
• Forks: salad fork, pastry fork, pickle fork, oyster fork, shrimp cocktail fork
• Other specialised pieces: asparagus tongs, sardine forks, jelly knives, potato chip servers, escargot tongs, corn holders

Notable Examples:

Some notable examples of Victorian flatware from the 1880s include:

• A set of six Victorian sterling silver dinner knives.
• A set of 12 antique early 19th-century English sterling silver pistol-grip luncheon forks with silver tines.
• A set of 10 antique Gorham sterling silver citrus spoons from 1882.
• A set of 12 antique Tiffany & Co. sterling silver teaspoons from the late 19th century.
• A set of five antique Wm. Rogers & Son fruit and cheese knives.

Victorian tableware

The Dining Room

The dining room is where you can truly showcase your Victorian tableware. Look for quality materials such as sterling silver, silver plate, porcelain, bone china, and mahogany.

A typical Victorian dining table would be adorned with a variety of tableware, including:

• A set of quality porcelain or bone china dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls
• Silver or silver-plated cutlery, including knives, forks, and spoons
• A toast rack, often made from silver or silver plate
• A butter dish with a reticulated lid
• Salt and pepper shakers, often in novelty shapes such as owls or turtles
• A teapot, coffee pot, or chocolate pot, sometimes with a porcelain lining
• A sugar bowl and creamer set
• A wine bottle or decanter coaster, often silver-plated and articulated
• A set of goblets or chalices, which may be made from glass, silver, or brass

The Kitchen

The kitchen is where the more functional pieces of Victorian tableware are kept. These include:

• Ironstone or copper saucepans and kettles
• Ceramic or porcelain storage jars for tea, coffee, and sugar
• A bread bin, often made from copper or ironstone
• A set of scales, perhaps with decorative brass or copper weights
• A butter churn
• A meat grinder

The Scullery

The scullery is a room dedicated to washing up and other kitchen tasks. Here, you might find:

• A set of ceramic or porcelain washing-up bowls
• Ironstone jugs and pitchers for water
• A plate rack, often made from iron or wood
• A dish drainer, which may be made from wire or wooden slats
• A selection of cleaning brushes and cloths, including a pot scrubber and a plate cloth

The Pantry

The pantry is where food is stored, and as such, it contains a variety of tableware designed for storage and serving. This might include:

• Ceramic or glass storage jars for dried goods such as flour, sugar, and rice
• Cake stands, often made from porcelain or glass
• A cheese dish, sometimes made from silver or silver plate
• A selection of serving spoons and forks, perhaps with decorative handles
• A cake server or pie server
• A set of glass or ceramic preserving jars

Victorian dinnerware colours

Victorian dinnerware in the 1880s was characterised by intricate designs and craftsmanship. The era's dinnerware often featured unique patterns and designs, adding a decorative touch to the dining experience. During this period, popular colours for dinnerware included white, blue, off-white, and gold.

White dinnerware was a prevalent choice during the Victorian era, with its simplicity providing an elegant canvas for more intricate designs and patterns. This colour also allowed for greater versatility in table settings, as it could be easily paired with other colours and styles.

Blue dinnerware was another favoured option, offering a calming and sophisticated tone to the dining table. This colour was often used in combination with white and gold accents, creating a refined and elegant aesthetic.

Off-white dinnerware provided a softer and more subtle approach to table settings. This colour added a sense of warmth and charm to the dining experience, often enhanced by intricate patterns and designs.

Gold was a prominent accent colour during the Victorian era, adding a touch of opulence and sophistication to dinnerware. Gold ornamentation, trim, and detailing elevated the overall aesthetic, creating a luxurious dining atmosphere.

In addition to these popular colours, the Victorian era also saw the use of other hues such as pink, green, and black. These colours were often incorporated into dinnerware designs, either as accents or as part of the overall colour scheme.

The Victorian era was known for its attention to detail and craftsmanship, and this extended to their dinnerware choices. Intricate patterns, ornate designs, and unique shapes were favoured during this period, reflecting the sophistication and elegance of the time.

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