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U ltim at e T he atr e Room . . . . .
Karin Melberg Schwier
The Family Dishes Will China Dinnerware Make a Comeback? Queen Elizabeth II turned 90 this year and gave herself a pretty little something for the occasion. Buckingham Palace commissioned a commemorative set of bone china, a delicate design of light blue hand-painted with 22-carat gold gilding. It was created at a Stoke-on-Trent factory by 50 handpicked artisans chosen for their traditional
expertise.The Royal Arms, with ribbons, bows, garlands of roses, shamrocks, thistles, are national emblems. As a more personal touch, there are April roses and forget-me-nots, and June cornflowers for her actual and official birthdays. Prices range from £25 for a mug to £89 for a plate. Her Majesty is said to be “very pleased” with her birthday
crockery. Safe to say, china is still a big deal in England. Formal, Not so Much But what about out here in the Colonies? Have Corelle and Corning replaced Denby and Royal Doulton? Is the future bleak for Beleek? In the modern age of fast food and dishwashers, is the hand washing and care required for
delicate bone and fine china just too much bother? Some antique dealers seem to think so as they’ve watched prices plummet. Don Penn (pictured above) of Penn’s Antiques says china futures, for now, don’t look good. “Young people just aren’t collectors, at least not as much as I’d like,” says Don, who’s been in the antique busi-
Fall 2016
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