American Whiteware Porcelain
I found my first one underneath some other plates in a dusty stack in the back of an antique shop. That’s her up there, the pretty neo-classical lady with the taped edg
e. I don’t know what she cost me-- $1, I think-- and because of the damage, she’s probably not really “worth” that. But I love the colors, her early 20th century hairstyle, and the dreamy Pre-Raphaelite feel. And she opened my eyes to a whole area of collecting.
e. I don’t know what she cost me-- $1, I think-- and because of the damage, she’s probably not really “worth” that. But I love the colors, her early 20th century hairstyle, and the dreamy Pre-Raphaelite feel. And she opened my eyes to a whole area of collecting.The Ohio Valley region, it turns out, was home to a number of pottery manufacturers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These companies understood American’s high demand for European porcelains, and were developing their own line of wares in order to compete. These pieces often would bear a transfer decal-- anything from flowers or fruit, to wildlife and game, landscapes, calendars, mythical scenes, historical figures and art nouveau-influenced portraits. Many were also enhanced with hand-painting. Some whiteware was stamped
with advertising information for the particular store which used the piece as a giveaway.
with advertising information for the particular store which used the piece as a giveaway. Many of these companies bear marks that might seem a little sneaky to a new collector. Like Dresden (American Dresden China 
Company-- of Ohio), or Limoges (American Limoges China Company-- of Ohio). Or Sevres (Sevres China Company-- of Ohio). Online you’ll see many American whiteware plates that are inadvertently mistaken for their European cousins, and largely because of the branding of the time.
Company-- of Ohio), or Limoges (American Limoges China Company-- of Ohio). Or Sevres (Sevres China Company-- of Ohio). Online you’ll see many American whiteware plates that are inadvertently mistaken for their European cousins, and largely because of the branding of the time. There are a number of books which highlight individual whiteware makers, however my favorite guide to collecting whiteware is Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware, by Jeanie Klamm Wilby. It lists the major manufacturers, the identifying marks they used, and gives a little history of each.
Copyright 2006-2007 Jenn Thorson. All rights reserved.
