{HISTORY}

All dressed up and ready to join the holiday festivities, this large antique porcelain platter made by Noritake features the Thelma Bassett pattern made during the 1920s. 

We searched high and low for some insight or a snippet of a story lead regarding the name Thelma Bassett but couldn't find one bit of info. Was she a famous actress of the 1910s and 1920s? A worker at the Noritake pottery? A muse for one of the dish decorators? Any and all of these are possible, but it seems, for now at least, she is a veritable mystery woman, except when it comes to life on a serving platter. Then she is the star of the show.

Featuring hand-painted florals around the rim, this Thelma pattern is wonderfully simple when it comes to design. With its repetitive swag of roses and stylized flourishes, the colors of this pattern are bright yet neutral making it a create choice for mix-and-match table decor and a pretty presentation piece for a wide variety of foods.

Raspberry, spring green, pale pink, dove grey, pale yellow, blueberry and black make up the complete color palette set against bright white porcelain that has been rimmed and striped in gold. 

Sized at 16" inches in length, this Thelma platter is a gorgeous choice for all your holiday favorites from honey baked ham to roast beef to Thanksgiving turkey. Her large size and heavy weight are ideal for serving your biggest, most dazzling holiday foods. That's the Noritake way. They have been a part of delightful dining experiences for over a century. 

It's always very fun to trace the history of vintage and antique Noritake because their backstamps and pottery marks have changed so much over the course of two centuries as the company evolved into a worldwide brand. These bowls feature the laurel wreath mark with the M in the middle which stands for the Morimura Brothers who originally started the pottery in 1889. Back then, it was simply known as Nippon - the name of the region where the dishes were made. 

Since those early days, artisans for Nippon (and then Noritake) have always focused on fine craftsmanship, gorgeous color arrangements, and exquisite designs. That attention to detail and level of commitment led Noritake to become one of the most celebrated and sought-after dishware brands in the world, and are still to this day, internationally recognized for quality and luxury. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Large 16" inch size
• Thelma Bassett pattern
• Handpainted
• Stamped on back with maker's mark

{CONDITION}

In beautiful antique condition, this platter contains no chips, cracks, spots or stains. The gold stripe around the edge is wearing is some spots. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the transferware is crisp and clear.

{SIZE}

Measures 16" inches (length) x 12.25" inches (width) and weighs 3.11 lbs

{FOR THE LOVE OF THELMA}

Find more antique pieces in the Thelma pattern in the shop here.