It's function. That's what I was always attracted to... Viktor Schreckengost, 2006

{HISTORY}

Treasure Island. Isn't that what dinner should always feel like? A marvelous adventure where good food is the treasure and the atmosphere is full of surprise and delight?! 

Designed by influential 20th-century industrial artist, Viktor Schreckengost (1906-2008), this vintage set of dinner plates was made in Sebring, Ohio by American Limoges between the 1940s-1950s. Known as the Treasure Island pattern in the Triumph shape, Sebring may not have been known as an island paradise, but these plates feature a pastel peach rim, gold laurel leaves, and an urn-style pot of colorful cottage flowers. 

In addition to being a pretty pattern, these dinner plates tell two unique stories from history. One is an example from the design portfolio of Victor Schreckengost and the other, a story about the pottery's envy towards a certain European style of dishware.

Viktor began designing dinnerware for American Limoges in the 1930s. His style combined traditional themes with artistic shapes, textures, and more modern designs. Treasure Island featured a unique color palette, an interesting ribbed texture known as Triumph and visually dynamic accessories like a round dome-shaped sugar bowl with a chunky pedestal and a chimney-style knob on the lid poking through at an angle (see photo included). Viktor's dinnerware designs were just one example of the unique way he looked at the world, which in turn inspired all sorts of other artists and design choices made across many different fields including toys, transportation, kitchenware and fine art. So influential was Viktor in the design world, that he was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2006.

As for American Limoges... inspired by the delicate porcelain of Limoges, France this U.S.-based pottery was founded in 1900 in Sebring, Ohio, and was originally known as the Limoges China Company.  They specialized in thin-walled china for the American market with a belief that American porcelain-style dishware could be just as attractive as the French equivalent. 

But when a fire broke out and destroyed everything the pottery had built, including formulas and designs, they changed gears and started making more durable earthenware dishes with similar delicate designs often found in porcelain patterns. Again, the Limoges China Company had something to prove.

This time, it was that American earthenware was just as superior as esteemed English earthenware.  Beautifully designed and successful in distribution, the Limoges Company (of America) was bustling by the 1930s. Creating not only artistic designs full of elegant patterns and beautiful color palettes, they were also at the forefront of innovation when it came to manufacturing processes within the pottery plant.  

After the French Limoge pottery in France caught wind of the great success, the designs, and the similar name, The Limoges China Company had to change names in order to avoid a lawsuit. Again they evolved and became the American Limoges Company which was a name change sufficient enough to calm everyone down in the industry. By the 1950s, unfortunately, this evolution was not as successful as the last. The American Limoges Company went bankrupt and closed its doors. 

These four dinner plates reflect Viktor's unique design eye and American Limoges' mission to create elegant, artistic American pottery. 

Photos of Viktor and his work courtesy of the Archives of American Art.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Matching set of four dinner plates

- Colors include pale peach, gold, pink, raspberry, almond, blueberry, butter and spring green

- Stamped on back with American Limoges mark and pattern name

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. These plates contain no cracks, chips or staining. Designs are crisp and clear and the gold detail is very shiny and reflective. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each dinner plate measures 10" inches in diameter and weghs 1.2 lbs