I have mentioned before that I have a *few* vintage loves and things that make me go weak in the knees when I find them. Chairs are definitely one of them. I am always looking at vintage chairs. I just have a thing for them. And something else I have mentioned before- vintage china. For whatever reason- I have a hard time walking away from vintage china in all kinds of patterns and colors. And one of my most recent obsessions is vintage ironstone platters. Oh for the love of those delicious details and patina!
Vintage Ironstone Platters
It started with a beautiful ironstone platter that was on the smaller side and had the most lovely shade of blue detailing around the edges. I was instantly in love and did not care about the chips or crazing and brought it home. I shared it here on the blog years back in a Christmas table setting- and recently, I bumped into several more at a thrift store and the obsession has started back up.
Ironstone History
Ironstone is a stoneware pottery – often noted that it feels much heavier and much thicker than plates and platters that look much the same. While many people think of ironstone and think of all those pretty white pitchers that so many of us love for flowers and just filling cupboards with- something you may not know is that there are also ironstone pieces with patterns. While some pieces are marked and easy to identify them- others are not marked and you have to more go with the look and thickness of a piece to determine if it is ironstone. In all disclosure- truth be told- I am no expert and I tend to collect what I like and call it good without having to identify it as something specific. If it talks to me- it talks to me haha. So unless it is marked specifically as ironstone or is something so thick and heavy it is unmistakeable- I find people use ‘ironstone’ as a general way of describing those pieces. And when researching the marks on these- that is what they were referred to.
I have heard that American collectors favor the all white, all bright, all simple look of the white ironstone and reproductions. Much like the farmhouse look I suppose which definitely uses that more neutral simple aesthetic. European collectors favor the patterns that look more like a traditional transferware piece often in a noticeably thicker and heavier build. This is something that is more obvious when placed side by side or if you have a collection of vintage plates and place it next to a piece of ironstone you may notice the difference in the look, thickness and the weight of it more easily.
I also personally have found that the English or European ironstone have softer color saturation which I absolutely love- and of course, the crazing and stains- don’t get me started on how they talk to me! I simply cannot resist a beautiful vintage faded pattern piece of ironstone that is adorned with old crazing, stains and even chips. I love that delicious patina.
Neutral shades and patterns
As mentioned most folks love those all white pitchers- I do have a few that I have collected over the years. But my obsession tends to be more on the patterned pieces- and when I find them, I bring them home.
Recently while at the Re-Store, I bumped into a delightfully soft black and white ironstone tureen (of course, it went right in my cart) and I mentioned to my husband that I have been looking for black and white and brown and white ironstone or transferware for awhile now and was excited to find it. Would you believe that when we got to the check out- there was a stack of plates, cups and saucers on the table behind the register waiting to be put out? I bought them all. And they said they were unboxing more and so to come back the next day to see if there was anything else.
My husband ran back the next day and found 2 more tureens, a large platter, small platter and a couple small plates. My collection of ironstone and transferware was officially started!
Something to note about the black and white ironstone is that often the black appears more gray or even on the purple side. It is a very soft, unsaturated beautiful look.
Platters Obsession
So, the platter obsession started awhile back with a blue and white ironstone platter I found -and it was reinvigorated with that haul that my husband brought home. And though I always keep an eye out for pieces like that- I hardly ever find them. But it is kind of like when you are thinking about getting a new car or something like that and then all of a sudden see that same on everywhere? Yep. The platters were the key to finding the others.
I found this stack of 2 floral and dainty edged platters in a stack of about 3 or 4 under some other dishes. Insanely beautiful and full of crazing and loveliness – and just $5 each.
And this gorgeous big and lovely black/blue beauty came home with me yesterday. I am Obsessed with it and the gorgeous pattern it has.
I will delve more into the brown and black collection and other pieces I have so far in an autumn inspired post soon. While I am always on the look out for vintage china pieces to add to the collection- I definitely have a weakness for these autumn shades in old plates, platters and tureens at the moment so you know I will be scouring the shelves of the thrifts and flea markets looking for more.
Happy collecting everyone!
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rebecca says
Wow I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ironstone platter with soft blue transferware edge. I also collect transferware, but mostly just blue and white.
Diana says
I have never seen the black and white. I have found brown more than any color, maybe that is a regional thing? You have a lovely collection going and I can’t wait to see the black and white in a post.
Sallie says
Oh girl! The crazing is always what i’m looking for! Love the transferware in the black and the brown! For me, the more crazing/cracking the better!
Karen says
What a beautiful colLection! I have to limit myself on my stash because of room:) They make me so happy to look at and I love washing them to make them sparkle – I’ll stop now – before I gush even more:) Enjoy your treasures!
Cate says
Those are beautiful! How donyou plan to use/Display them? Do you hang them on the wall and if so, what kind if hangers do you use?
C says
Ijust l ve your new find. Do you actually use yours and put fiid on them? And what about washing them. I sure would be inter to know so i hope you reply.
Judy says
i love the platters with pink flowers!!! i want to do a wall in my kitchen with platters. Thanks for your inspiration!!