{HISTORY}

Containing the most delicate shades of the summer garden, this antique salad and luncheon plate set was made by Syracuse O.P.Co in the late winter months of 1899. Were the pottery workers anticipating sun-dappled summer, gossamer dresses, and garden party luncheons when these two worked their way around the production facility? Maybe.

Containing the O.P.Co Syracuse mark, which stands for the Onondaga Pottery Company located in Syracuse, New York, the pottery 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, 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 was simply a stock pattern available for personal and professional use, but it's always a joy to see 130-year-old dishes come through the shop.  Shaped with a scalloped edge and accented with lacy embossing, it's lovely to imagine these plates in a variety of settings. From Victorian weddings to hotel restaurant service to club gatherings and home-hosted get-togethers, these two have seen their fair share of fine dining situations over the past century.

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 pretty 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 and impressed date code marks

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition, these plates contain no chips, cracks, spots, or stains. The salad plate contains some light fading in the center florals, and the luncheon plate is a bit brighter in color palette than the salad plate. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

The salad plate measures 8" inches in diameter and weighs 11 oz. The luncheon plate measures 8.75" inches in diameter and weighs just a smidge over 1 lb.