Vintage 1940s American Limoges Rosalie Dinner Plates Designed by Viktor Schreckengost - Set of Three

 It's function. That's what I was always attracted to... Viktor Schreckengost, 2006

{HISTORY}

Meet Rosalie. She was just one of many pretty dish patterns designed by 20th-century industrial artist, Viktor Schreckengost (1906-2008) for American Limoges.  Made in Sebring, Ohio in the 1940s, the Rosalie pattern contains gold filigree, a tightly ribbed shoulder, and a big billowy floral bouquet at the center. Designed in the Triumph shape, which Victor debuted in 1937, Rosalie is an interesting combination both in a tactile and visual way.

Viktor began designing dinnerware for American Limoges in the 1930s. His style combined traditional themes with artistic shapes, textures, and more modern designs. Visually dynamic accessories in interesting shapes accompanied traditional dishware including a round, dome-shaped sugar bowl with a chunky pedestal base and a chimney-style knob handle on the lid.  Viktor's dinnerware designs were just one example of the unique way he looked at the world, which in turn influenced other artists across many fields including toys, transportation, kitchenware and fine art. So influential was Viktor in the design world, that he was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2006.

As for American Limoges, it was inspired by the delicate porcelain of Limoges, France.  Based in the U.S.,  American Limoges was founded in 1900 in Sebring, Ohio, and was originally known as the Limoges China Company.  They specialized in thin-walled china for the American market with a belief that American porcelain-style dishware could be just as attractive as the French equivalent. 

But when a fire broke out and destroyed everything the pottery had built, including formulas and designs, they changed gears and started making more durable earthenware dishes with similar delicate designs often found in porcelain patterns. Determined to prove that American earthenware was just as superior as esteemed English earthenware, the pottery successfully created beautiful and durable dishware equal to that of British design. 

Bustling by the 1930s. American Limoges created not only artistic designs full of elegant patterns and beautiful color palettes, they were also at the forefront of innovation when it came to manufacturing processes within the pottery plant.  

After the French Limoges pottery in France caught wind of the great success, the designs, and the similar name, The Limoges China Company (of America) had to change names in order to avoid a lawsuit. Again, just like after the fire, the company pivoted with a name change and became the American Limoges Company, which was a change sufficient enough to calm everyone down in the industry on both sides of the ocean. By the 1950s, unfortunately, this evolution was not as successful as the last. The American Limoges Company went bankrupt and closed its doors. 

In the decade before the company folded, these dinner plates were made. Available in large sets for service up to 12 with all sorts of matching companion pieces, Rosalie was offered piece by piece, so that shoppers could amass a collection to fit their needs and their dreams. While researching this pattern, we found an ad dating to 1947, that features three Rosalie dinner plates as the starting point to building a custom set. It's fun to imagine that 80 years ago, a shopper picked up these very three plates for the economical price of $0.69 and started curating her collection from there. 

Photos of Viktor and his work courtesy of the Archives of American Art. Vintage advertisement courtesy of the Hartford Courant, April 23, 1947.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Matching set of three dinner plates
• Rosalie pattern, Triumph shape
• Colors include gold, pink, amethyst, plum, yellow mustard, evergreen, pale blue, raspberry, and sage
• Stamped on back with American Limoges mark and pattern name

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. These plates contain no cracks, chips, or staining. The floral and filigree designs are crisp and clear. There are two very light utensil marks on the pink rose at center in one plate, but is barely noticeable due to the overall design of the bouquet. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each dinner plate measures 10" inches in diameter and weighs 1.3 lbs 

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Find more American Limoges pieces in the Rosalie pattern here.