ENCHANTING SYMBOLS OF BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE, PINK ORCHIDS ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH JOY AND GRACE.

{HISTORY}

Hailing from the 1940s, this pretty little blue and ivory creamer features the Blue Orchid pattern made Royal China Co. 

Manufactured in Sebring, Ohio between 1945-1952, this pattern debuted just after WWII ended and contains a colorful center floral bouquet and an elegant soft blue band around the rim. 

Delicate in pattern and palette but also hefty in construction with its thick walls and handle, its an interesting blend of fragile and functional design. Back when it debuted, this creamer would have been accompanied by its mate - a round-topped sugar bowl all set and ready to add an extra dose of delight at tea time. Somewhere along its 80-year journey, the two pieces separated, which now gives this creamer a new opportunity for a few additional creative uses.

Here in the Vintage Kitchen, we don't mind a mismatched creamer and sugar bowl set or if you are filling out your existing Blue Orchid collection, this might be the one piece you are missing, But if that's not your case, we also love to take orphan creamers like this and turn them into planters for succulents or vases for garden flower bouquets. We also LOVE to use creamers as mini watering cans for indoor plants, since their small spouts can easily fit into the nooks and crannies of a full pot, thus watering the plant and not the floor or counter.  Given that they usually hold less than a cup of liquid, when used in this garden fashion, creamers ensure that you don't over-water your plants too. A little bit is all you need.

We don't think the makers at Royal China Company would mind such ideas when it comes to putting their dishes to work in unanticipated ways. They have been out-side of the box thinkers and trendsetters since they were first founded in 1930.

Not only did they invent a revolutionary stamping machine, but they also boasted a female founder, a true rarity in the dishware manufacturing industry at that time. They also creatively managed their staff. In the beginning, years, while the Great Depression was challenging businesses across the country, Royal China came up with an inventive plan to hire workers on a delayed payment system so that the pottery could establish a strong foundation without the expense of immediate overhead costs.  This unorthodox practice was intended to give the pottery a leg up in the face of competition and if done right would secure future success and growth for all employees. Luckily, this combination of creative management and faithful employees proved to be a great success.  Eventually, Royal China became the third-largest dishware producer in the country. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Blue Orchid pattern

- Colors include spring green, blueberry, pale pink, raspberry, plum and butter yellow

- Stamped on back with maker's mark and pattern name and also bears the stamp of the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters, a labor union that was founded in 1890 for the pottery industry and operated through 1952 before it changed names to the International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. There are no chips or cracks but there are a few lovely light crazing marks. The gold detailing is crisp and shiny and the floral bouquet is vibrant in color and clarity. On the top near the spout, you'll notice a pencil-point size hole, which upon close inspection we suspect might have been a manufacturing flaw as it is perfectly round (an unusual shape had been it been caused by an adventuresome chip instead). The hole does not extend through to the underside so it would never come in contact with cream if you decided to use it as a creamer. The interior and exterior are very clean and bright. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Measures 3.25 inches (height) x 5.5" inches (length) x 3.5" inches (width) and weighs 8oz.

{FOR THE ORCHID LOVER}

Find more vintage orchids in the shop here.