SU-CHIN PANG - PHOTOGRAPHY

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Vintage Tableware with an Attitude!

I had been searching for a flower pot for a plant that had outgrown it's cramped plastic container. During my rush shopping lunch break, I discovered a store with 30-50% off signs plastered over it's window. I found myself a beautiful Jade Green pot and decided to browse through the aisles of cheap china before I stumbled upon these amazing pieces of tableware! They were sitting on random shelves, collecting dust and completely forgotten about. The collection below is a mixture of three manufacturers. Most well-known - Mikasa, Sango Rainbow & Carousel Stoneware, all made in Japan and dates back to the early 70s. One of the tea cups still had its barcode label stuck on it. 

In the early 1930's, Mikasa was established as an international trading company based in Secaucus, New Jersey. The American company looked to Japan for inspiration and imported only from countries like Japan, Ireland, England, France, and Germany. Mikasa's secret was mixing feldspar, quartz and flint to the clay, making it incredibly durable. It is an American classic - strong, practical and above all, beautiful! They sure don't make them like they used to.


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