{HISTORY}

 It's always fun when the same pattern, made by the same company, shows up on two different styles of dish shape. In this case, the delicate pink floral pattern featured on these antique salad plates also appears on this set of antique embossed plates found in the shop here. What sets this pair of antique salad plates apart from the other set is their simple, smooth shoulder. 

Made by O.P.Co. Syracuse, most likely sometime during the 1920s to the 1940s, the backstamp mark on these two was in use between 1897-1946, but the plain style of this plate, as opposed to its earlier matching pattern set, suggests a more modern time period and cleaner, streamlined aesthetic. 

O.P.Co, which stands for the Onondaga Pottery Company located in Syracuse, New York,  was named for the local Iroquois tribe, the Onondaga, who lived near Lake Erie. Founded in the 1870s, O.P.Co refined its skills throughout the 19th century, overcoming fires, company changes, financial setbacks, product losses, name changes, world wars, and reinventions. Eventually changing their name to Syracuse China, in addition to making dishware for the domestic market, they also created serving pieces for the hotel, restaurant, and railroad industries, becoming one of the country's largest producers of hotel and restaurant ware during the 20th century.

We may never know if this pretty pattern was created for a specific hotel or restaurant or if it was simply a stock pattern available for personal and professional use, but during World War I and World War II, a large portion of the pottery was run by women as men went off to serve in the military. It's fun to think these pretty dishes may have been made by women for women, and acted as symbols of not only femininity but also resourcefulness and strength.   

These days, they are especially pretty for pastel table settings or for use as accent dishes in an all-white tablescape. They are also especially lovely for wall decor as they set an instant romantic country cottage aesthetic.  

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Colors include bright white, ice pink, dove grey, pale celadon, pale raspberry, and mustard
• Stamped on back with maker's mark 

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition, these plates contain no chips, cracks, spots, or stains. The floral bouquets are crisp and clear. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 8" inches in diameter and weighs 11 oz.