I think accepting change is quite as important as defending the past. Cora Crawley, Downton Abbey

{HISTORY}

Just like Cora Crawley's quote in the famous Downton Abbey tv series, vintage and antique platters have a wonderful way of holding onto the past while also being completely relevant and useful in our modern society. Today, most modern dishes are made using analytics first - by studying trends in popular colors, shapes, design patterns, and speed of manufacture first and then making the actual dishes second. That business model guarantees an adequate amount of sales but sometimes leads to an over-saturation of sameness in the marketplace. One year could mean all teal and and chevron stripes while the next year determines coral botanicals in matching solids or all-white embossing.

But back in the 18th and 19th centuries, that dish design model was flipped. Focus was placed first on the beauty, function, and originality of design, and then marketability second. Dishes were made and then hoped (fingers crossed) to be sold based on their quality, craftsmanship, and appeal.  That ultimately yielded a market flooded with unique styles, which offered shoppers plenty in the way of personal taste and individuality in decorating. 

Luckily, these days we get the best of both worlds in examples like this almost-antique platter made by Indiana-based Crown Pottery Company in 1928. Its heavy constitution and large, chip-free size denote the quality of craftsmanship.  Its rare purple floral pattern adds elegance and charm to modern spaces while also easily coordinating with very trendy violet-hued shades - a top color choice in interior decorating these past couple of years. Old meets new in the prettiest, easiest way here! The trumpet-style flowers are accented with dynamic secondary colors in yellow, orange, black, gold, and lavender, offering a playground of visual inspiration, especially when it comes to coordinating dishes from both modern and vintage collections.

Crown Pottery was started by an English transplant who moved to Indiana in the 1880s. Unfortunately, he died just a couple of years into business leaving the company to shuffle between a few different owners, before it finally merged in the 1890's with Illinois-based Peoria Pottery Company. Combining both old and new names, it became known as Crown Potteries and produced popular dishware up until the mid-1950s.  Known for their beautiful designs and quality craftsmanship, C.P. Co dishes remain popular among collectors today as stylish symbols of vintage charm and American enterprise.

 {SPECIAL FEATURES}

  - Rare pattern 

- Stamped and dated on back with Crown Potteries logo and date of manufactures 

- Colors include navy blue, purple, lavender, orange, yellow and green against an ecru background

- Staining and crazing marks offer a wonderful aged patina

{CONDITION}

No chips or cracks. Delicate staining and crazing marks throughout. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 15.5" inches (length) x 11" inches (width)

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Looking for more vintage Crown Potteries Company patterns? Find a colorful array here in the shop.