Tableware Blog

Are there any other tableware designs from the 1960's as iconic as Denby "Arabesque"? Ironically it was never intended to be a full set of tableware. It was originally a small gift ware set, designed by Gill Pemberton in 1962. The set only included a large goblet, a salad bowl and some storage jars. However, it caught people's imagination with it's red and gold hand-painted design and the set was extended to include the full dinner, tea and coffee service as well as serving and cookware, cutlery and additional giftware. The red and gold design was actually inspired by a...

How to measure the size of tableware pieces, is the subject of conversation that comes up surprisingly often here at MrPottery HQ. After all, you want to make sure you are buying the right size piece to complete your set. It can be particularly tricky with older designs, which were made when production runs were much longer, and resulted in potteries changing the shape from time to time. How you measure it is really up to you. As for the potteries, well they each seem to have their own versions, along with their own names for pieces. So, how do we...

As a tableware replacement company we are always grateful for every order we receive. Whether it's a replacement saucer for a tea service or extra place settings for a discontinued dinner service, each order is as important as the next. However, every now and then we receive an order for a discontinued design whose name strikes fear into china matching services everywhere, as it invariably causes confusion. Poole Pottery "Lakestone" is one such pattern Two of Poole Pottery's most popular designs from the 70's and 80's were produced on the famous Compact range. They were "Broadstone" and "Parkstone". We regularly get...

To answer this question we first need to understand what "tableware" is. The term "tableware", according to Wikipedia refers to "the dishes or dishware used for setting a table, serving food and dining. It includes cutlery, glassware, serving dishes and other useful items for practical as well as decorative purposes." What makes up a full set of tableware, traditionally speaking, will vary depending on the country you are in, your position within society and therefore it's intended function and your associated budget.  For example, not so many years ago many an English home would not be without a tea set. A statesman would require a...

The more cynical among you would probably think that we would rather you broke your plates, than looked after them. However, the reality is that we are never short of people looking for pieces. The problem is finding the items. It is therefore in our interest to keep discontinued pieces in circulation and in good condition. With this in mind, we have prepared this guide which we hope will help you to prolong your service's life and therefore your enjoyment of it. Storage If you are storing plates or bowls for a long period in a stack, place a paper...