Vintage Dinnerware: Art Nouveau (1890-1910)

 Vintage Dinnerware: Art Nouveau (1890-1910)

January 28,2022

Art Nouveau Design Style Dinnerware (1890-1910)

Art Nouveau is an ornamental style of design that is elaborate and and deliberate. Many times the long lines become stems and buds of flowers, insect wings, and vines. The elements found in this style are very organic and often asymmetrical. Some of the more important artists of this style were, American glassmaker, Louis Comfort Tiffany, furniture maker Louis Majorelle, Rene Lalique, a French glass and jewelry maker, architect, Louis Henry Sullivan, and perhaps the most famed and original artist of the movement, architect and sculptor, Antonio Gaudi.

The style carried over from architecture to jewelry and glass design, to posters and illustration. Britannica.com says of Art Nouveau style it is "a deliberate attempt to create a new style, free of the imitative historicism that had dominated much of the 19th century art and design." The term, Art Nouveau comes from Belgium and reference L'Art Moderne. Art Nouveau had even spread to other European countries as well, although it was known by different names. For example, it was called Jugendstil in Germany, in Austria, it was known as Sezessionstil, Stile Floréal in Italy, and Modernismo in Spain.

As mentioned, the design style was utilized in architecture, interior design, glass and jewelry, and the style should imply movement Art Nouveau experienced a revival in the 1960s, when flowery, organic lines were transformed into a brand new psychedelic style that was becoming popular not only in fashion, but in the images of rock and pop albums and also in commercial advertising. Another category making use of the design styles popular in that time was that of dinnerware! Of course American consumers have always sought out the best household items they could afford in the style of their home.

The dinnerware items used by people in the US during the Art Nouveau movement featured images of flowers, and other plants, insects, birds, and other elements found in nature. Once you can recognize different styles of art that were popular during each era, you will be able to guesstimate the age of a piece with very little effort on your part! Some of the more popular brands that produced Art Nouveau style dinnerware at the turn of the 19th century include Spode, Majolica, Mason's, Royal Copenhagen, and Royal Worcester.

Take a look at the following examples of the different Art Nouveau patterned dinnerware options that were available to American consumers from 1890-1910.

Royal Copenhagen

Royal Copenhagen is a Danish company, founded in 1775, which produces fine porcelain china that is still, to this day, hand-painted piece by piece. The prices of Royal Copenhagen fine china reflect its uniqueness. Royal Copenhagen has a few patterns that have been in continuous production since the last quarter of the 18th century. Their "Blue Fluted Full Lace (No Trim)", lovingly referred to as Service No. 1 by the Royal Copenhagen Company, has been continuously in production since the company was founded in 1775! That's almost 250 years and it is still actively being produced today! A 4-piece place setting for one person of the "Service No.1" by Royal Copenhagen retails for $450.00!! Just one 9 7/8" dinner plate in this long-running pattern will cost you over $200.

Another hand painted pattern made by Royal Copenhagen is the "Flora Danica" which was produced from 1790 until 1960. Pieces from this line are highly coveted and desired which is why purchasing a simple cup and saucer set at retail prices will cost a cool $900! A 3-qt Tureen with lid is over $11,000!!! Be sure to memorize this pattern because can you imagine living with yourself after you realized you didn't recognize the whole box of it for sale for $10 at the yard sale you went to the day before?! Unbearable! Pay close attention to the signatures that you need to be looking for and be sure to get a close look, maybe screenshot for future reference, even. You can not afford to not recognize this pattern in the wild.

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Well that's all I have for you on the elegant Art Nouveau design movement that took place primarily between 1890-1910 and experienced a revival in the 1960s. As you saw, flowers and nature played a huge role as the inspiration for the patterns of vintage Art Nouveau design style dinnerware. Be sure to check back next week for a closer look at dinnerware produced in the design style, known as Art Deco, and in the coming weeks at other design styles and how they are incorporated into the style and look of vintage dinnerware of that time period.

Until then, Happy Hunting!