Me and a Pebble Leaf dish, one of my collections
Do you love vintage dishes? I know I do!
I’m Kimbesa, and I collect and enjoy using vintage china and glassware. I used to sell online, and I learned a lot from that. (The more I find, the more there is to find out!)
If you’re enthusiastic about vintage dishes, I hope you’ll find some things here to enjoy, too.
Two tier serving tray in the Desco pattern by Villeroy and Boch, with cookies and scones
I started writing this blog several years ago, to talk about discoveries and treasures from my travels.
I thought that other people would benefit from seeing what I’d found. (I still look at other people’s shopping carts in the store, too, because I’m snoopy to see what they found…)
Vintage dishes – a broad topic - to be shared!
To me, this includes dinnerware, glassware, flatware and recipes, too. If it goes on the dinner table or buffet, is used to serve the food or decorate it, that’s part of the subject.
I like to use my stuff. I’m game to consider anything that can be an element of a table setting or party experience.
Glass salad bowl in the Ponderosa Pine pattern by Tiara, with cranberry sauce
There are so many cool dishes out there to be had.
That’s one reason why I’m big on my permanent shopping list, where I keep track of the patterns and piece types I’m looking for. I recommend it, and it’s so easy to do now, on your phone.
The thrill of the hunt never seems to fade, and if you keep searching, you will find it!
Not that I limit myself only to that list…
Now that you’re here, please feel free to look around the site, or use the search box if there’s something specific you are looking for. As I’m writing today, there are more than 275 posts. (So many good vintage dishes to enjoy!)
Samples from my collection of chicken dishes
These days, with so many people downsizing, there is a lot out there to be found, both online and on the ground.
Anyone can have a great time shopping for vintage dishes, for any reason, like these:
- Build a wonderful collections of dishes to create fabulous table settings. The dinnerware becomes a conversation starter. It’s like painting, only with dinnerware, glassware and table accessories instead of watercolors or oils.
- Make a party or family event even more fun. Riff off a favorite theme that’s dear to you or the guest of honor.
- Add to or re-create mom’s or grandma’s dish collection. Reminisce about times gone by and create some new memories around favorite foods and dishes.
- Collect the perfect set for any theme party you have in mind. Name a color, season, style, era, movie or TV show, and there are dishes to use to create the look and serve the foods appropriate to it.
More of my collections, Swedish Modern glass, pickle dishes, mid-century modern and mugs
How do I decide what to buy?
If I like it, and it catches my eye, I’m looking it over. The pieces I buy – maybe it’s another piece in a pattern I collect and use. It could be because I can see how I can mix and match it with other pieces I have, or I want it to make something that I already have more usable.
It might be just the right size and pattern for a certain use. Or it could be a piece of Grandma's china and it reminds me of her apple pie.
I’ll bet you do the same thing!
If space and funds were unlimited, I’d have sets and sets of dishes – real sets, service for 12 – of every maker and pattern I choose. My walls would be lined with glass display cases, sparkling with china plates and cups, radiant under LED lights.
All my rooms would look like the China Room in the White House.
I do have to be selective, but I have enough storage space to keep the collections I want. On the pages of this blog, I can enjoy a lot more.
Green glass bowl in the Soreno pattern by Anchor Hocking, with broccoli salad
If you like what you’re finding here, feel free to explore. I’ve grown this site with lots of posts and photos for you to savor, and to give you ideas for your next table setting, buffet or party.
I hope this site will also help you find what you want to add to your own dish collection.
There are links on every page to suggested additional posts, as well as comment fields (which I moderate to keep off people who are not interested in dishes).
Feel free to share your favorite posts on your Facebook page (or Pin them), so your friends can see the beautiful things you’ve found.
Thanks for stopping by…come back anytime!
Glass tidbit dish in the Pebble Leaf pattern by Indiana, dressed with Christmas candy
So what would be your top five china patterns be if money were no object?
I think mine would be….
1) Eugenie de Montijo by Bernadaud.
2) Colleen by Royal Albert (check out the handle shapes on the teapot, covered vegetable, etc……GORGEOUS. Sadly, discontinued.
3) Grace by Grindley. A BEAUTIFUL flow blue pattern. I have maybe 30 pieces.
4) Baronesse White by Hutchenreuther/Tirschenreuther. The serving piece shapes are just gorgeous. And you can’t go wrong with a set of all-white china. It looks AWESOME dressed up with red/green table linens for Christmas, or lavender (or other pastel) linens for Easter.
5) To go casual–or more fall/winter my choice would be Pfaltzgraff Heritage White.
I have a massive collection. It’s not the fanciest, but every imaginable piece is made. Batter bowls, spoon rests, deviled egg tray, etc. etc. This pattern looks great on any rustic tablecloth or placemat.
The one drawback is…..it is HEAVY!! When the platter is filled with food, it’s like lifting weights to pass it around the table.
I can’t wait to read your list!!
I don’t know if I could get it down to only 5. Perhaps I’d have to build on a room…LOL…
1. I have some Pfaltzgraff Mountain Shadow. Nice colors to coordinate with lots of other china. But also heavy, like the Heritage White.
2. Also have some Summer Chintz by Johnson Brothers. Recently discontinued, but it was made for a long time, and so it’s still find-able.
It took me a long time to choose that one, because I like so many patterns.
3. I’d love to have a set of Spring Willow by Kent China. It’s a beautiful vintage pattern.
4. Sprite, a Lenox pattern from the Temperware line is also cute. I have a creamer and sugar (no top). Heavy, though.
5. Mikasa Blue Honey. Again, heavy. But the dinner plates are wonderfully generous, great for a homey vintage dish I sometimes make, which I call Chicken and Noodles, Hoosier style. It’s basically plain boiled chicken with some toothy noodles, served over mashed potatoes. Carbs over the top…but filling! These plates would work great for that, because they have a 1″ rim.
I can see I’ve barely touched fine china…
I look for that kind of dinnerware in my travels, because it is not that common, and many people are interested in it, especially for homes on the water.
I have a bit left of a pattern called Anchors Aweigh by Sango, which I got last summer. Most of it went to a gentleman who had spent many years in the Navy.
I’d be happy to talk to you about this topic.
Hi Kimbesa, I’m always looking for vintage/antique nautical dishes. Would love to talk to you about this sometime.
Do you know of anyone who needs a set of KINGSBURY by Gorham. I have a set that we got as wedding gifts 34 years ago that have never been used. It is in my China Cabinet It has a silver rim abound the edge.
Hello!
I get versions of your question a lot. I recommend people explore selling sets of dinnerware via their local CraigsList dot org. Much better to sell locally than try to ship, unless you are experienced in packing and can do it yourself.
I looked this up on Replacements dot com…very pretty!
I have my favorite, Old British Castles in blue, my mothers Noritake “Lucille”.Pfaltzgraff Midnight Sun.I have a large blue and white collection.With pieces from here and there
Blue and white is a very popular dinnerware choice.
Lots of ways to mix and match, and easy to put together. Blues don’t tend to “fight” as much as some other colors can.
I have a love for all Vintage dinnerware. I keep buying it to sell on ebay, but I love it so much when I get it, I just cannot let it go! Lets see, I recently drove four hours to pick up some Noritake made in Occ Japan dinnerware, to complete some of the set I already had. Now, I am the proud owner of service for 12 of Mystery Pattern #7 with ALL THE PIECES plus extras! I love it I love it!
I also have several sets of Homer Laughlin Eggshell Georgian dinnerware, including, Cashmer, Chateau, and Viceroy. And recently, I found someone throwing away a Homer Lauglin Riviera pattern set of 5 dishes in periwinkle blue and the tray is in perfect condition, so I decided to get the sugar bowl and creamer (in different colors of Riviera) and keep it! My kids think I am nuts…they just cannot understand that I love pretty things.
I am going to start my own blog but just having trouble with the mechanicals. After 3 plus hours trying to put it together last night, I gave up and then found your website on the Noritake page.
It will be fun to hear more from you!
Ah….another dish lover!
Congratulations on your Mystery set, and all the other beautiful china dinnerware patterns. I’m sure you’re having lots of fun creating table settings with all your favorite dinnerware!
I was feeling nostalgic and ran into your site. I am an avid glassware collector. My father was a designer at Libbey Glass and L.E. Smith from the early 70’s through the mid 80’s. Since he passed a few years ago, I am attempting to gather as many of his designs as I can. He did very distinctive work including the very popular “Chilvary” glassware pattern. It warms my heart when I can see people appreciating the “invisible art” that we hold in our hands everyday.
What about SILVERWARE!?!
Do you love that, too? What kinds?
I have four sets, and rotate using them according to seasons, or just on a whim.
🙂
Curious to hear your thoughts.
I rarely mention flatware, it’s true. My favorite vintage pattern is Finlandia by Insilco. I’m also fond of anything with stars, such as Twin Star by Oneida.
I think finding good vintage flatware in stainless is pretty tough, and in silver, practically impossible. But I keep my eye peeled. You never know what you’re going to find.
I just recently came across your blog while actively searching for some dishes to match a set I found in a thrift store that. I picked up Johnson brothers old granite cherry thieves dinner plates and tea cups with saucers. Now I’m on the hunt for salad plates and bowls. My thing is that I don’t want to purchase matching cherry thieves bowls and salad plates and prefer to match it to a solid colour, like tourquise. I am having no luck finding a solid colour for the bowls and salad plates to match the cherry thieves theme. Do you have any suggestions on how to mix and match to this set I purchased? Thank you so much.
I’ve been thinking about your question, and I am getting some ideas.I’d never seen the Cherry Thieves pattern until now. I’ll answer more fully in a blog post soon!
Thanks! Looking forward to seeing it.
Hi there. I just added a wonderful set of Bretton Woods china to my collection, but have been unsuccessful finding the pattern online so that I may acquire more serving pieces such as cream and sugar. I ve checked all the reputable known replacement companies but to no avail. I wonder if you could tell me where I should look? Do you need a picture of it? Its cream color with a red band and a gold 22kt edge, with a sort of filigree desingin gold also around the inside edge. It is a flawless set! I would be so thrilled to find out more about it! I see it listed on Replacements LTD but they have none to sell. Perhaps its just rare? Any information you may have to share is greatly appreciated.
I looked at the Bretton Woods china on Replacements and it is classy! If you haven’t already inquired, they have a service to seek out dinnerware patterns that they don’t have in stock. Similarly, if you keep checking back on eBay, Craigslist in your area, and similar sites, you may be able to build up a larger set over time.
In my years of hunting, you can be surprised or disappointed. You might find your special pattern next week, or not see it again for years. But that’s the thrill of the hunt!
In the meantime, I’ll venture that this dinnerware is made from fine porcelain. Other elegant dinnerware patterns in the same material, with the same color scheme, could be mixed with your Bretton Woods set. Or, if you have the right quantity and piece types, use the Bretton Woods as a dessert set or tea party set, while you look for more.
Gold dinner plates by other makers could be used as chargers under smaller Bretton Woods pieces as well. Some of these could be new pieces such as you might find at Pier 1, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Macy’s or other stores that feature the latest dinnerware fashions.
Traditional dinnerware “wants” to be in a matched set. But the right pieces in the same materials and color scheme could help you “stretch” your Bretton Woods in ways that help you use and enjoy it.
Hope this helps!
Hi!! I just received my Grandmother’s set of Noritake China, it is cook’n serve by Namiki pattern BW-108. While packing up these dishes I found the original price sheet, with picture. Question is there are cereal size bowls in the set, not listed on the price list. How do I do find out what these bowls are actually called. Thanks in advance.
What a nice set! A wonderful vintage treasure!
In general, as you probably know, cereal bowls are smaller diameter and deeper, and soup bowls are larger diameter and shallower. In this product line, the cereal bowls are just over 6″ in diameter, and the soup bowls are just over 7″.
So…the cereal size bowls may have come from a separate purchase, or been a bonus with purchase. Or a gift. Some other avenue not covered by the price list. What did Noritake call these bowls? Most likely, cereal bowls.
Does it help you understand the intended use better, or are you looking to add more and need to know what search term is best to use? I’d say you’re in the ballpark with cereal bowl, either way.
That is a classy pattern, to use and to display!
I love dishes too. My husband and kids think I have too many but I do not agree. They make me smile and we use them for sure as I like to enjoy them ;they are certainly not for display only. I have lots of polish pottery. Do you also have polish pottery?
Hello Jackeline!
I don’t have nearly enough Polish pottery! I do have my eye on some pieces and I will get them eventually Beautiful stuff!
Thanks for stopping by…I hope you found lots to like here!