Royal is the finest quality earthenware with decorations sealed under the glaze... (from a 1950s era Royal China Co advertisement) 

{HISTORY}

A beauty from all directions, this vintage chop plate with its blooming tree pattern and bird in flight imagery was made by Royal China Co. in Sebring, OH in 1954.

Just six years before this plate was made, Royal invented a machine in 1948 that was able to stamp designs directly onto unglazed pottery pieces, thus eliminating the need for paper transferware applications. This machine revolutionized the entire pottery industry from the 1940s forward, and this underglaze stamping technique, as seen on this chop plate, became a signature style for the company for the next several decades.

First established in 1930, Royal China was always a trendsetter in the industry. In addition to inventing their revolutionary stamping machine, they also had a female founder., a true rarity in the dishware manufacturing industry.  And 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. 

Because of the underglaze stamping system, many Royal China pieces have traveled the years beautifully from one century into the next. Although this pattern is unnamed it features an Asian style theme with is knobby limbed tree, big blooming peony style flowers, and the lovely bird similar in style to the Blue Willow pattern which Royal was also famous for producing. 

Although originally intended as a chop plate for serving larger pieces of meat and poultry, this plate serves as a fabulous round serving platter, cake plate, or beverage tray. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Stamped on the bottom with the Royal China mark

- Colors include ivory and pine green

- Hard to find pieces in this pattern

- There is a cake plate available in the shop in this same pattern

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or crazing. There are two very light rust-colored marks (one near the bird and two tiny dots near the bottom left of the tree). Most likely those occurred during the manufacturing process as they are located under the glaze. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 12" inches in diameter and weighs 1.9lbs