I have been as sincere a worshiper of Aurora as the Greeks. Henry David Thoreau 

{HISTORY}

One of the greatest aspects of vintage restaurantware, other than their dreamy quality of imagining what they once served and where, is their heavy duty, seemingly indestructible nature. This platters weighs in at just over 3 lbs. and holds all the potential possibilities of having once been in service on an ocean liner or a cross country train or even an airplane. That was the market that Mayer China was in. Based in Beaver Falls PA, Mayer China was started by two brothers in 1881. They  made dishware for all sorts of commercial eating establishments  from mom and pop restaurants to cruise ships, airplanes to train lines, big city hotels to small city diners and everything in between, including the military. 

Classic in design, with its decorative blue and white rim, this is the Aurora pattern, a now hard to find line of Mayer dishware that was made sometime between the 1910's-1930's. The detailed design on the rim, although somewhat blurry, contains flowers and laurel wreaths and at first glance were thought to be coat of arms plaques, but on closer inspection turned out to be men's faces complete with mustaches and beards. How fun! Possibly this platter was in use at a Greek restaurant or a seafood diner or someplace where Mediterranean food was on the menu. The addition of these handsome portraits dotted all the way around the rim and the heavy duty nature of this dishware add a nice masculine touch to the kitchen and especially for cook who likes to prepare a big feast for friends and family.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

 - classic blue and white style

- decorative rim with faces

- heavy duty constitution

- marked on back with pattern name and manufacturer

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. This platter contains no chips but does contain one small scratch (1/2" inch in length) that has turned brown over time. There are also some light utensil marks which can only be seen when the plate is held at an angle towards a light source. Also, the design is slightly blurry which gives a soft and hazy look, as you'll notice in the photographs. 

{SIZE}

Measures 14.5" inches (length) x 10.25" inches (width) 

{STYLE IDEA}

Given its classic blue stripe, this platter would look especially great with your vintage blue and white striped restaurantware collection.