Vintage Turkey Bird Portrait Platter by Embassy USA circa 1940s-1960s
{HISTORY}
Oh handsome, noble turkey! Star of holidays from near and far, just like the dinner bird himself, the traditional turkey platter is a mainstay on holiday tables. This one, made by Embassy USA features an Early-American-style turkey bird illustration in a country pasture setting complete with corn stalks and muted colors.
Combined with the embossed edge and gold rim, it boasts an aesthetic that could be any age at all from antique all the way up to modern farmhouse. We love dishes like this. Complimentary to all time periods, all matter of table design, and all matter of taste, it's an effortless piece of holiday dishware that makes any Thanksgiving occasion a handsome one.
This platter dates between the 1940s-1960s, when Embassy dinnerware could be found at department stores, retail shops, and occasionally at the grocery store. There among the produce and the pantry supplies, certain Embassy patterns were offered as in-store specials with price reductions and incentivizing giveaways.
There is no telling where this turkey launched from, but if we had our guess, we'd say it was the department store since he's a little fancier than most of the grocery store giveaway patterns that Embassy offered. Also, this turkey is not native to Embassy USA alone. His likeness could be found on many other pieces from competing pottery manufacturers like Homer Laughlin and Taylor Smith Taylor. That's how you know he had an adoring fanbase. When one pattern proved successful with one pottery all other manufacturers wanted to hop on the popularity train.
Despite there not being much information about the history of Embassy USA, the history of turkey platters goes all the way back to Abraham Lincoln and the 1860s, when he declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Ever since, turkeys in all shapes and sizes and service duties have claimed our hearts each November.
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- Hard to find serving piece and pattern
- Medium size platter
- Stamped on back with maker's mark
{CONDITION}
In treasured vintage condition. This platter contains some scratches in the turkey illustration area and some rubbing on the gold rim. There is one chip (about 1/4" inch in length) on the back of the platter which is not visible from the front. Otherwise no other chips or cracks. Overall the aesthetic is of a much loved family heirloom that contains a regal air. Please see photos.
{SIZE}
Measures 15.5" inches (length) x 11" inches (width) and 2.13 lbs
{FOR THE TURKEY LOVER}
Thanksgiving is our most favorite holiday here in the Vintage Kitchen, and there's a special place in the shop for holiday decor that offers warm, rustic heirloom charm to the big day. Find more vintage turkeys here.