{HISTORY}

We just love it when a platter comes to the shop that instantly fits in with practically every other piece of vintage or antique dishware. Such is the case with this pretty piece featuring an elegant gold and green trim around its rim. 

Made by Smith-Phillips China Company in the American pottery hub of East Liverpool, Ohio sometime between 1900-1920, the pattern is very similar to a Haviland French Limoges pattern (Schleiger 288 for collectors). These similarities in pattern and design were not uncommon in the 19th and 20th-century dishware industry. At that point, American potteries were trying to mirror the beautiful craftsmanship and design of their French counterparts, who were dazzling dish collectors at the time.

This style created by Smith-Phillips was known as Princess - not a pattern name but a denotation in the ivory color shade of the clay used in the Princess series.  Although this platter is really more white than ivory it bears the Princess mark on back. 

Although they produced lots of very pretty dishware, Smith-Phillips traveled a rocky road while in business. First founded in 1900, they successfully operated on their own accord until they joined a pottery cooperative in the 1920s. The idea of banding together with several other local manufacturers offered the opportunity of support so that all their ships might rise together. But by the 1930s, the Great Depression forced bankruptcy for the cooperative and Smith-Phillips endeavored to venture out on their own again under a new brand name - Johnson Pottery - but found no luck in creating a lasting impact with that venture either. 

This platter has a very New Orleans, old Savannah, Old Charleston aesthetic to it. There's a grandeur in the fading gold spots around the rim, and a refined elegance that reflects sophisticated French style, making it an ideal candidate for wall display. 

It's so ironic to think that a pottery struggled so much while at the same time made pieces that were so complimentary to other manufacturers. Nowadays, this makes Smith-Phillips especially attractive since you can mix and match their pieces until your heart's content.

In that vein, this platter looks beautiful with this antique tea set, this covered dish, these soup bowls and this gravy boat - all from other makers.     

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Classic gold design
• Gold, spring green and dark raspberry color palette
• Stamped with the maker's mark on back

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition, this platter has a touch of shabby chic appeal which makes it all the more beautiful. The gold around the rim is wearing in some spots. There is a small surface chip on the shoulder which measures 1/4" inch in length.  Light crazing adds a delicate web of historical appeal. Other than that, this platter is free of chips and cracks and staining 

{SIZE}

Measures 15.75" inches (length) x 12" inches (width) and weighs 3 lbs.