Dinnerware is something that each home needs to have. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for something for yourself or for a gift (or maybe even both) but having the right selection is the key here. Because there are so many options out there in dinnerware, you may find yourself a little confused and wondering just what you should choose. While it really is only up to you to choose what you like the best, there are a few things that you can and should consider before purchasing dinnerware for your home.
Dinnerware Materials
Dinnerware is varied. There are a number of excellent types out there for you to choose from, though. Most dinnerware is made of one of several materials. The most expensive and highest in quality is porcelain. Other expensive qualities include china, bone china, EAPG, and Depression glass. You will find other materials used as well in the making of dinnerware including glass, stoneware, pottery, earthenware, plastic and ironstone. What is the difference? Quality, price and elegance are what the difference is in these types of dinnerware.
Choosing Your Dinnerware
How do you choose the right dinnerware option for you or for your gift? There are several things to take into consideration here. For example, it is important to think about the quality of the piece. Purchasing something very nice, such as china, is a great option but if you plan to use the dinnerware daily with small children, well, you need to move down to the lesser expensive options! Nevertheless, the most important element in choosing the right dinnerware for your home is that you need to consider your tastes or that of the person it is being purchased for. Patterns, colors, and materials are all things to consider.
Consider the pattern of the room that it will be used in as well as the pattern of the furniture. Is there a better choice for color? Is there some pattern that you just love and must have? Do you enjoy a fine piece or are you looking for something that isn’t going to cause a heart attack if it gets broken? Do you like lightweight dinnerware pieces or do you enjoy the heavier options. These are things that you can ask yourself. Or, you can simply browse what is available to choose from.
And, there are lots to choose from. You’ll find a wide selection of patterns, colors and schemes. You will also find a wide selection of designers as well. Some of the very best may be a little costly, but it is well worth if for their workmanship. And, don’t forget that it is not all about plates, bowls and cups either. There are a number of pieces that can and should be purchased to provide the complete set of the dinnerware selection. Serving platters, soup bowls, glasses, salad dishes, cereal bowls and gravy bowls. There are platters of all sizes, salt and pepper shakers as well as coffee and tea pots that match the dinnerware selection! There is much to consider in dinnerware, much!
The story of the line begins in 1730 with the birth of Josiah Wedgwood to a family who manufactured pottery. At six years old, Josiah was an apprentice and by 14 he had suffered a bout of smallpox that weakened his right knee. By 1760, Josiah had his own factory and had been experimenting with different formulas of porcelain, clays and glazes and technological advances in the art of transferring designs to the finished product. In 1765 he manufactured a complete set for Queen Charlotte, advertised himself as the “potter to the Queen” and his business took off.
Josiah’s crowning achievement was his creation of Jasperware. Jasper is translucent clay that marries the basalt and Josiah’s original formulas to produce a dense, homogeneously colored stoneware. After more than 10,000 failed experiments with various clays and glazes, Jasperware was launched in 1775 to overwhelming success, especially to his customers in the new democracy of the United States of America. Josiah stated shortly thereafter, “there was no item too rich or too costly for Americans.”
Wedgwood died in 1795 and the business was left to his sons, who, having been brought up wealthy, had absolutely no interest in running it. The job fell to a nephew, Tom Byerly who struggled greatly with the burden of running a business he had little love for. The next 25 years proved difficult for the company and Josiah II took over to turn things around by restoring the formulas and business standards set by his father. Needless to say, constant economic turmoil, wars and growing competition made the 1800’s very difficult and it wasn’t until the 20th Century, under the leadership of Josiah V that things began to improve.
With new, streamlined production facilities, aggressive worldwide marketing especially in America, and exclusive designs, Wedgwood China products began gaining prominence in the industry. In 1966, Wedgwood’s shares were introduced into the London Stock exchange and since that time, the company has been involved in aggressive expansion. The assets of Susie Cooper, Royal Tuscan, William Adams, Franciscan, Mason’s Ironstone, Waterford, and Rosenthal have been merged with Wedgwood to form the Wedgwood group. Josiah Wedgwood I would be proud.