Shenango China

Posted in Advertising, History by joncrispin on 12/02/2013

This beautiful plate was underneath my little metal teapot at Golden Coffee this morning. Ever since I lived in central New York State I have turned plates over to look for the Syracuse China mark on the back. Here’s a link to a previous post. I was surprised to see the logo on the back of this plate.

To me it looks like a Native American strangling a big dog (Mr. Rorschach anyone?) When I searched the company name I saw other examples that make it look like a Native American sitting on a blanket hitting a drum. No definitive answer though. This is particularly interesting to me since I grew up in Meadville, PA which isn’t far from New Castle. Sadly, the company is now closed.

Tagged with: Golden Coffee, Jon Crispin, old plates, San Francisco, Shenango China, Syracuse China

9 comments

9 Responses

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Chelsea Edmonds said, on 12/02/2013 at 11:59 pm

It is actually a Native American handpainting a large clay vessel. Shanango, like Syracuse China, produced their wares exclusively for the hospitality trade. Therefore the pieces are heavy, hard to break pottery with limited designs.

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- joncrispin said, on 13/02/2013 at 12:09 am
  
  You are right. My friend Laura just sent me this link.
  
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- Photobooth Journal said, on 13/02/2013 at 1:01 am
  
  That makes sense but I think someone “strangling a big dog” is such a wonderfully creative interpretation, it is a shame we have the correct story, which isn’t nearly so much fun. After all Bunnykins has a “naughty” rabbit on the reverse of its earlier ceramic products. It almost could have been true.
  
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DotRot said, on 13/02/2013 at 12:20 am

Have you seen these images? They show a progression from a very detailed logo to a much more stylistic one.
http://www.shenangochina.com/

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- joncrispin said, on 13/02/2013 at 12:46 pm
  
  Dot, Thank you so much for the link. The baseball plates are beautiful and I want a set! I am not sure why I am attracted to objects like this but they really get to me. Cheers, Jon
  
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Mary-Ellen said, on 13/02/2013 at 9:03 am

I think those plates were used in the navy mess hall if I am not mistaken.

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- joncrispin said, on 13/02/2013 at 12:42 pm
  
  Mary-Ellen, I figured as much. I just love how these plates are constantly re-purposed and show up in the oddest places.
  
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Chris Murphy said, on 13/02/2013 at 10:05 pm

I was interested to see this post, as my late aunt, Mary Kline, worked at Shenango China, and I and my daughters still have some of the china that we had acquired from there.

Sent from my iPad

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- joncrispin said, on 13/02/2013 at 10:50 pm
  
  Chris, thanks for your comment. I just love hearing from people who have connected with my posts on WordPress. All the best, Jon
  
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