{HISTORY}

Acting as both plates and platters thanks to their unique size, these two pieces of vintage restaurant ware are handy companions in the kitchen for whatever your serving needs require. 

Manufactured by Sterling China, one of the hospitality industry's leading dishware makers, these vintage oval plates were made in 1967 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Full of midcentury style, each plate/platter measures 11" inches in length and features a grey leaf pattern accented by dots and curved lines. A simple aesthetic that easily matches with other midcentury pieces of the era, this pattern is hard to find nowadays among the Sterling set making them fun collectibles and unique additions to your 1960s decor. 

Sterling China was first founded in 1917 and steadily built up a reputation for craftsmanship and design that appealed particularly to restaurants and hotels around the country. By the time the 1950s rolled around, Sterling was at the top of its game, expanding the pottery into newly acquired plants, including one in Puerto Rico.

Especially known for their glazing techniques and lasting design durability, the pottery continued to grow and thrive throughout the 20th century. But, unfortunately, in the early 2000s, Sterling China closed, just shy of their 100th birthday, as they were unable to compete with foreign markets.

These two were made during the halcyon days when the company was flourishing and people were eating out at record numbers.  Sterling supplied dishware to the biggest of restaurants and the smallest of roadside cafes with a host of different types of dining establishments in between. Both plates contain the rolled rim design - a thick edge underneath the lip of the plate signaling that these two were intended for busy restaurants that served a lot of customers on a regular basis. The rolled rim made it easier for wait staff to grab the dishes more quickly.   

Sometimes restaurant ware will give you clues as to the specific dining establishment from which they came.  These do not. But it's that little mystery and call for imagination that makes all restaurant ware so fun to collect as you try to picture all the diners and luncheonettes, the donut counters and local bars, the lunchrooms and social clubs where these two dishes could have been passed around. From Cleveland to Carlsbad, Helena to Honolulu, Manhattan to Minneapolis, these two platters hold all sorts of possibilities when it comes to 1960s storytelling. 

Please note each plate platter is sold individually.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Dove grey color palette

- Rare, hard-to-find pattern

- Rolled edge on back

- Each plate is stamped with the maker's mark and date code F9 which stands for 1967

- Two Available

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. These plates contain no chips, cracks, spots or staining. 

{SIZE}

Each plate platter measures 11.25" inches (length) x 9.25" inches (width) and weighs 2.2 lbs.

{FOR THE LOVE OF RESTAURANT WARE}

Fall in love with more pieces of past vintage restaurant life here...