The Washington herald., 1912-01-21
New Fashions in Table China.
By RITA MARSTON.

Judging from the recent irnportations
shown in shops dealing only in china and
glassware. the newest feature OF table equip
ment is the multiplication and elaboration
of service, FISH, game, and entree plates. q
set or sets OF each being included in the
china closet of women addicted to dinner
giving.
At one time an extra me set Of English
or French china Of the one pattern was con-
sidered pretty good. From course TO cours'
OF the finest dinners the only difference in the
china was in the size OF the plate
HostesSes who were looked up to as leaders,
gave their guests something to talk about
when they nrst introduced. at the beginning
Of a dinner. service plates much more ornate
and costly than the usual dinner plate
A large percentage Of the best china Of the
world is manufactured for America Ths
fashion set by persons who can AFFORD to
pay for rare and original designs is not con-
fined to any one class of entertainers, ssrv-
ice. fish, game. and entree plates Of many
grades now being included among the table
china IN the best stores
Piloted by friend through a leading china
and glass establishment a visitor from =
small town was astonished to see plates
marked SSs5 and $3.50 dozen mounted on
AaShS nAShAdJ OA . IaIAS- nc NdOic
was on the main floor and not far from d
street entrance.
One would think" she explained. tha,
those plates cost so cents instead Of SO
EACH meaning that they ought to be pu;
in a cabinet under lock and key.
Special Orders at Fabulous Prices.
She was incredulous when a manager told
her that the stock Of that particular con
Germ contained plates costing $500 dozen
and that this price was often exceeded NJ
specially ordered plates made from excIu-
sive designs.
Some OF the rarest designs are never pU.
on public view at all, he said. and dinner
sets are purchased every now and then. with
the proviso that duplicates shall not be sold
to any one living in the particular city in
which the buyer resides.
This does not debar the retailer from
selling duplicates to persons living In other
cities except when a set is ordered mads
from original drawings with the understand
ing that only one set shall Be manufactured.
In order to promote the exclusiveness de-
sired by purchasers willing and able to pay
for 1t, each Of the several large concerns
dealing in fine china has its own designs.
Whicn cannot De oought elsewhere In the city
this stipulation accompanying the orders
placed with the various European factories
representing the nnest output made from de.
signs prepared by noted artists.
When an Individual outnt Of table china
foots up, as it often does to SO 900 or S12 900.
manufacturers and retailers are glad to fol-
low the lead Of customers, said the manager
"old time china importers knew little or
nothing Of this phase Of the business which
has developed along with the largo Amsri-
can fortunes and the willingness OF Amer
leans to spend lavishly for art objects"
This explains why guests making the
rounds Of fashionable dinner tables seldom
fnd duplicates and why they may travel
the world over without finding more beau
tiful table china than In America
English Wore Most Expensive.