This vintage Noritake china caught my eye the first time I saw it. The dinnerware decorated with a large floral motif in beautiful autumn colors and gold handles -- so dramatic.
I’m usually a fan of blue, green and silver dinnerware, but I could not leave this classy china on the shelf.
This china has so many possibilities for a color palette and theme for a fall wedding.
- White flowers and background
- Gold edges and the outsides of the handles
- Rusty red in the flower buds
- Warm brown in the twigs
- Green leaves in at least three tones
The colors give this dinnerware lots of scope to use this china as part of a vintage wedding table setting.
Then there are the motifs: flowers, buds and leaves.
I used to think the flowers were dogwood blossoms, but now I’m not so sure. Could these be apple blossoms? Or cherry? (Please leave a comment below if you have an idea about this.)
In any case, there are design ideas lurking in this classic Noritake china.
It’s older than the vintage Noritake china that I wrote about yesterday.
Based on my research, this is most likely to be pre-World War II dinnerware. I found that the M in the wreath mark was used from around 1914 to 1940. Noritake stopped importing to the United States in 1940. The M stands for Morimura. (The Morimura brothers were early importers of Japanese goods to America.)
After the war, several years went by before Noritake started to supply dinnerware to the US again. As of the 1950s, they had replaced the M with an N for Noritake, and kept the colored wreath motif.
If the colors and motifs of this dramatic dinnerware suit your vintage wedding, or you’re looking for some inspiration for a wedding, anniversary party, birthday or other special occasion, beautiful old china like that can be just the thing to inspire a unique and memorable table setting.
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I have a large set of Noritake china that has that same wreath/M logo as shown in the article in this blog. There is no other identifying mark as to the name of this pattern. It has a gold rim with a cream body and a white center with brown flowers. Inside the outer rim is a band in the same brown tones as the inner flowers, with slightly raised white, tiny flowers interspersed. Do you have any idea which pattern I have? I can send pictures if you like–if you think you might be able to help…thanks, either way!
Hello Angela!
Jamie from Noritake kindly offered to provide information on marks, via the company’s Facebook page. It’s in the comments to this post:
https://diaryofadishie.com/identifying-vintage-dinnerware-tips/
When you’re looking for the Facebook page, look for the one that says “company” under the name “Noritake” as there are several fan pages that are different from the official company page.
I did this for this particular mark, and the answer was posted below the photo, on the Noritake Facebook page. (Regarding the china I wrote about in this post.)
Noritake answered via comment on a photo on the Facebook page. This mark was used from the mid-1930s to 1953. There’s a lot more about it in the photo comment on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2432428934348&set=o.101405506574645&type=3&theater
No pattern name in this case, and there may not be one in your case, unfortunately. Besides the period for which the records were destroyed, in prior decades, patterns were not always named by the maker.
That Facebook page had my china pattern! It’s #4036 (possibly an Adelphia-type) and I was able to find lots more information armed with that info. Made in 1933. Thanks so much!!
I have a Noritake china set that as the same as the girl above just has the M logo with made in japan. I went to the facebook page and did not see my pattern. It has red and white flowers with a gold trim. Help
FYI – I believe my Mom bought or was gifted with this china pattern around the time of her marriage in 1952, if that helps at all to narrow it down.
From what I have found online, that pattern is N144 [on Replacements dot com]. I have a relative that also got the dishes in the 1950s.
Hello, Christine!
Thanks for that reference! I can see 1930s roots in the style in this design. It’s a wonderful pattern!
Is there any market for this China. I have service for 16 with serving pieces. Would be 24 but the China was my mom’s and I would like to keep 8 settings for myself. It really is beautiful.
Hello Eileen!
There is. It will depend on factors like condition, the type of pattern (colors and shape) and such. IN General, you will get more for a large set than for something that is pieced out.
I have service for 16. In excellent shape as we hardly ever used it except for Christmas and sometimes Easter. The pattern on replacements.com is N144 that is the easiest way to let you know what the pattern is.. It does have the M on the back with the wreath. How would you advise to sell. By place setting or service for 4 or 8 . The serving pieces are a covered casserole 2 platters one large one smaller, creamer and sugar, gravy boat. Dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, and a smaller plate like a small desert bowl. Any guidance would be welcomed. Thank you for your response.
Hello again Eileen!
I believe you would do best to sell the whole quantity together. If there is no pattern name available, and it is older dinnerware, it is unlikely that many people are searching by piece or place setting.
Good luck with this!
Thank you . I’ll get working on that.
Hello Eileen…good luck with the hunt! Have fun, and I hope you find the mother lode!