For decades, dinner time in the USA meant one thing. Sitting around a kitchen table with your family (and perhaps a few friends), and enjoying a tasty meal together. Eating off a nice table, dinner set complete with a plate, fork, knife, spoon, glass(s), napkins, and a centerpiece, was a nightly ritual. Although it is a far rarer event these days, it's still a great way to enjoy some great conversation, and a nice way to welcome in the evening hours.
In this article we will be exploring the world of one of these components, the humble dinner set. We will be explaining where these sets originated, and if time permits, we will be offering details on some of the finest examples available today.
Civilizations in the ancient world were often characterized by the pottery that remained years after they had ceased to exist. Archaeologists would find these remains as they combed through the various archeological sites. It's interesting to note that many people valued their dinnerware and pottery so much that they were even buried with it.
In today's world we call dinnerware "China". What a strange name? Have you ever wondered why this is the case? There is a logical answer. Years ago dinnerware was made out of porcelain, and was invented by, you guessed it, the Chinese, over 1000 years ago. In actuality it was probably invented by the Tang Dynasty, but the emperors of the Song Dynasty seem to get most of the credit these days. Mid-way through the Song Dynasty, around 1100 AD, the skill and art of porcelain making had made its way throughout the East. By the year--00 AD it had migrated to Europe.
Years ago, importing fine dinnerware from China was a very expensive proposition. Due to this expense, only the very wealthy could afford to own it. The remedy this situation, the Europeans started to create their own "China Factories". They modified the process a bit by incorporating some different clays and other materials. This resulted in a softer China, one that was to have a duller tone than those similar products that were being imported from China. Around 1700 we see another form of China starting to emerge onto the scene. It was called "Bone China", a name resulting from the fact it was a mixture of both porcelain clays and "bone ash".
Today, most of our valuable and yes collectable dinnerware is made from pottery, not porcelain. It's sometimes called "earthenware", and it was extremely popular during the decades of the'50's and'60's.
Stoneware is the most widely used pottery today. It seems to be all around us, from stores to restaurants, from homes to hotels. Stoneware is fired at a very high temperature until it is completely solid, and therefore able to hold liquids. The process for creating Stoneware, as was porcelain, was developed in China, about 3500 years ago. It's interesting to note that some of the most sought after pieces of Stoneware were created in the mid'00's here in the United States (in the Virginia and New England areas to be more exact).
The dinner set has a very colorful history, don't you think? We do have TOP PICKS, but no time or space in this article. Please visit our blog to learn more. - 32406
In this article we will be exploring the world of one of these components, the humble dinner set. We will be explaining where these sets originated, and if time permits, we will be offering details on some of the finest examples available today.
Civilizations in the ancient world were often characterized by the pottery that remained years after they had ceased to exist. Archaeologists would find these remains as they combed through the various archeological sites. It's interesting to note that many people valued their dinnerware and pottery so much that they were even buried with it.
In today's world we call dinnerware "China". What a strange name? Have you ever wondered why this is the case? There is a logical answer. Years ago dinnerware was made out of porcelain, and was invented by, you guessed it, the Chinese, over 1000 years ago. In actuality it was probably invented by the Tang Dynasty, but the emperors of the Song Dynasty seem to get most of the credit these days. Mid-way through the Song Dynasty, around 1100 AD, the skill and art of porcelain making had made its way throughout the East. By the year--00 AD it had migrated to Europe.
Years ago, importing fine dinnerware from China was a very expensive proposition. Due to this expense, only the very wealthy could afford to own it. The remedy this situation, the Europeans started to create their own "China Factories". They modified the process a bit by incorporating some different clays and other materials. This resulted in a softer China, one that was to have a duller tone than those similar products that were being imported from China. Around 1700 we see another form of China starting to emerge onto the scene. It was called "Bone China", a name resulting from the fact it was a mixture of both porcelain clays and "bone ash".
Today, most of our valuable and yes collectable dinnerware is made from pottery, not porcelain. It's sometimes called "earthenware", and it was extremely popular during the decades of the'50's and'60's.
Stoneware is the most widely used pottery today. It seems to be all around us, from stores to restaurants, from homes to hotels. Stoneware is fired at a very high temperature until it is completely solid, and therefore able to hold liquids. The process for creating Stoneware, as was porcelain, was developed in China, about 3500 years ago. It's interesting to note that some of the most sought after pieces of Stoneware were created in the mid'00's here in the United States (in the Virginia and New England areas to be more exact).
The dinner set has a very colorful history, don't you think? We do have TOP PICKS, but no time or space in this article. Please visit our blog to learn more. - 32406
About the Author:
Learn more about the history of the Dinner Set. Stop by Diana Richards's site where you can find out all about her TOP PICKS and what makes them so special.
