{HISTORY}

Meet Thelma Bassett, the antique dish pattern made by Noritake during the 1920s.

We searched high and low for some insight or a snippet of a story lead regarding the name of this pattern but couldn't find one bit of info. Was Thelma Bassett 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 the dishes themselves.

Featuring hand-painted florals around the rim, this Thelma pattern is wonderfully simple when it comes to design. With its repetitive swag of roses trailing their way between five sets of stylized flourishes, the colors of this pattern are bright yet neutral making it a great choice for mix-and-match table decor.

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. 

Apart from berry bowls, this is our most favorite shape of bowl when it comes to accommodating a wide variety of foods in the modern day kitchen. Technically referred to as a coupe bowl, its wide and shallow shape, is the perfect size for pasta, soup, stew, eggs, dessert, casseroles, yogurt, oatmeal, rice bowls, and one pot meals. Essentially, it is ideal for any type of food that comes with a little bit of sauce or broth or drips and drizzles that would typically tend to run away on a plate or get lost in a deep welled cereal bowl.

Whether you are serving a bowl of split pea soup, chicken cassoulet, cranberry cobbler, holiday risotto, or a big helping of pasta primavera, all will be a feast for the belly and the eyes when it comes to pretty dishes like this. 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}

- Matching set of four

- Stamped on back with maker's mark

{CONDITION}

In beautiful antique condition, these bowls contain no chips, cracks, spots or stains. The gold stripe around the rim is wearing ever so slightly in some areas. the colors and design details in the floral pattern are bright, crisp and clear. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Each bowl measures 7.5" inches in diameter and weighs 12 oz.