The beauty that arouses admiration for Mayer China is not a fragile beauty. Mayer China is famous for its strength and toughness as well as for its flawless perfection, pleasing shapes and artistic decorations. (from a 1930s-era Mayer catalog)

{HISTORY}

Based in Beaver Falls PA, Mayer China was founded in 1881 by two brothers, who came from an English pottery family and were highly skilled in the area of dish manufacturing. When they immigrated to America they set up shop in PA and were immediately wrapped in success and accolades for their fine quality dishes. After winning a gold medal at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition in 1904, they began focusing on making 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 US military. Operated by generations of the Mayer family up until the late 1960s, the Mayer China brand survived until 1990, when it could no longer compete with foreign manufacturing. 

This set of three Mayer china side dishes features the colorful Duval pattern and was made between the 1950s and 1970s. Each plate was manufactured during a different decade, which is a fun little detail for collectors, and one plate is marked with the Minners & Co stamp, which was a New York City dishware wholesaler for the restaurant industry beginning in the 1970s. 

Some restaurant ware, through emblems, monograms, or crests, tells you exactly what dining establishment they were intended for. Others were designs created in-house for general use in a variety of restaurants. So far as we can tell, the Duval pattern was one of those general patterns, which means these dishes could have been used in a hotel, restaurant, cafeteria or lunch room anywhere in the US. It's so fun to imagine all the possibilities of whom they might have served and where. 

Like mini platters, the size of these dishes are so convenient for appetizers, hors d'oeuvres and small plate servings, especially during the holidays when big feasts and festive parties require an array of uniquely shaped dishes. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Mayer China Duval pattern

- Matching set of three

- Colors include mustard, blueberry, pink, pine green and black

- Each piece is marked on back with date codes and maker's mark signifying they were made in April or May in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. No chips or cracks. Very shiny glaze and crisp, clear designs.

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 8.25" inches (length) x 5.75" inches (width)  and weighs 14oz. 

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Restaurant ware is one of our most favorite things to stock in the shop based on their glamorous stories and hospitable designs. Find an array of vintage pieces here.