Entertaining is not a frivolous endeavor... Betsy Bloomingdale

{HISTORY}

C is for champagne, celebration, community, cooking, cocktails, cosmopolitan, conviviality, culinary, and cheers - some of our favorite words here in the Vintage Kitchen. In the case of this particular vintage monogrammed platter C also stands for socialite. That's the name of this pattern designed by American Limoges in Sebring, Ohio between 1910-1930.

Isn't Socialite a wonderful name for a dish design? It just conjures up images of swanky champagne parties and cocktail dresses and hospitality served up on a grand scale. Indeed, that sort of refined elegance was what American Limoges had in mind from the beginning when their pottery was inspired by Limoges porcelain made in France. 

Founded in 1900, this U.S.-based pottery 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 but paired them with the delicate designs of porcelain-type 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 China Company (of America) created not only artistic designs full of elegant patterns and beautiful color palettes, but 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 of the U.S. Limoge designs, and the similar sounding name, The Limoges China Company had to change names in order to avoid a lawsuit. Again, the pottery 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. 

Made of earthenware, this platter bears the best of both French and American Limoges designs. It features a handpainted blue stripe and gold filigree transferware with a customizable monogram. Vintage monograms are always little stories in themselves. We also think it's fun to imagine who the original owner might have been. Was it Carrie or Charles? Catharine or Constance? Christopher or Cornelius? Cordelia or Cora? Or perhaps C stood for their last name... Cline, Chesterton, Cotton, Claiborne... so many possibilities, so many stories!

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Hard to find pattern

- Monogrammed

- Unmarked on back 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. There are no chips or cracks. The gold detailing and monograms are crisp and clear. There is a bit of fading on one part of the blue stripe on the right-hand side, as well as some fading around the gold edges of the rim. This platter also contains gorgeous light crazing throughout. 

{SIZE}

Measures 11.5" inches (length) x 9.5" inches (width) and weighs 1.6lbs