{HISTORY}

Featuring a little mystery and lots of shimmery gold detailing, these two antique platters contain a tantalizing monogram sure to pique some curiosity for any history-loving collector.

Made by O.P.Co Syracuse in 1902, each platter contains the monogram LYC, which, considering its maker's prolific reputation in the hotel and restaurant ware industry, opens the door to all sorts of intriguing possibilities. Could they be the initials of a long-ago yacht club? A dining establishment at Yale? Or a local city social club or organization? O.P.Co. Syracuse also made dishes for domestic households too, so there is a possibility that they could be someone's initials or even the monogram of a boat. Perhaps Lillian Carol Young or Lawrence Chatsworth York, or the Lady Christiana Yacht. 

Mongorams aside, these platters are artistically executed with gold flourishes and dots that are all hand-painted. A very rare, hard to find pattern these days, their flow blue aesthetic is representative of a popular style of dishware in the early 1900s. An impressed mark on the back (number 92) signals that they were made in December 1902. 

Bearing the O.P.Co Syracuse mark, which stands for the Onondaga Pottery Company located in Syracuse, NY, the pottery was named for the local Iroquois Indian tribe, the Onondaga, who lived near Lake Erie. First founded in the 1840s, O.P.Co worked to refine its skill throughout the 19th century, overcoming fires, company changes, financial setbacks, product losses, name changes, and reinventions. By the time these two platters were made in 1902, the pottery had just begun to realize its first major success.  

We searched high and low for a monogram or initial combination that might suggest an exact provenance for this set, but so far we haven't been able to find a perfect match to complete the story.  Whether they were part of hotel inventory, a restaurant serving set, clubhouse dining, afloat on a boat or settled into domestic service, it is fun to imagine the types of establishments and people these beauties might have served. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Rare pieces in rare pattern
• LYC Monogram
• Cobalt flow blue style with hand-painted gold detailing
• Matching set of two
• Stamped with maker's mark and date code

{CONDITION}

In beautiful antique condition, these two platters contain no chips or cracks. The gold swirls and scrolls are fading ever so slightly on one platter, but both retain a very bright and shimmery color palette. Please see photos.  

{SIZE}

Each platter measures 11.5" inches (length) x 7.75" inches (width) and weighs 1.8 lbs.