China Set Piece Appraisal

Royal China Currier & Ives 19-Piece Dinnerware and Drinkware Set

This is a Royal China Currier & Ives dinnerware set, consisting of an assortment of plates and several drinking glasses, totaling 19 pieces as per the provided context. The dinnerware is characterized by its blue and white transferware decoration, a popular style evoking historical Americana. The plates feature a creamy white central field adorned with various landscape and genre scenes in a distinct dark blue, typical of Currier & Ives prints. Each scene is unique to the plate, depicting pastoral settings, rural life, and natural vistas, such as a large mountain lake scene on one of the larger, possibly serving, plates, and various homesteads, trees, and figures on the others. The rim of the plates is a robust blue with a textured or patterned design, bordered by a delicate, repetitive scroll or bead-like pattern in white, against a blue background, forming a decorative edge. This border contrasts with the smooth inner rim, which is also a solid blue. The overall aesthetic is classical and rustic. In terms of physical characteristics, the plates appear to be made of ceramic or stoneware, likely earthenware or ironstone given the period and manufacturer. The surface shows a moderate sheen, indicating a glazed finish. The sizes vary, suggesting a mix of dinner plates, salad plates, or soup bowls, and a larger platter or serving dish with an integrated handle on one side, which is a notable feature for utility and visual appeal. The drinking glasses are a uniform dark blue, seemingly made of colored glass, and complement the blue tones of the plates. They appear to be tumblers of a standard size. Visible condition issues are minimal from the image; there are no obvious chips, cracks, or significant crazing, though some surface wear commensurate with age and use might be present upon closer inspection. The blue color appears consistent and vibrant across all pieces. Royal China, a known manufacturer, produced these designs, often associated with the mid-20th century, making this set an example of well-preserved vintage dinnerware.