Today we would like to talk about birds, because we love birds and have several different sorts of them on our plates.
Guess how many birds there are in the world?
I had to look it up.
18,000 bird species.
New research led by the American Museum of Natural History suggests that there are about 18,000 bird species in the world—nearly twice as many as previously thought. The work focuses on “hidden” avian diversity—birds that look similar to one another, or were thought to interbreed, but are actually different species.
Mottahedeh is coming up to our 100th anniversary of our founding in a couple of years. The company has been family owned by three families in all that time: The Mottahedehs, the Kvalheims in partnership with the Mondscheins.
There are so many designs and styles that have passed through of our doors, that it would be hard to enumerate them all. Many of them were bird patterns. The secondary market of Mottahedeh is just about as robust as the first- time sold market that you may find Mottahedeh in the most surprising places. Today’s avid fans are multi-generational and especially aviary fans. We count on them. Our point of view is that you may love it or you may hate it but we hope you will not be neutral.
Counting them up in a different way, we have seven dinnerware patterns featuring birds. Here they are:
Tobacco Leaf
with a lone happy phoenix.
The phoenix is the sacred bird of myth, mentioned in Persian, Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese cultures. Phoenix is considered a symbol of immortality and longevity in most cultures. The story goes that the bird lives for several hundred years before it dies by setting itself on fire. However, it then starts a new life from the ashes of the fire. Tobacco Leaf is one of those patterns that never dies because of it’s effusive colors and avid following.
Ch’ing Garden
was inspired by hand painted wall paper in the dining room of Colonial Willamsburg’s Lightfoot house. During the 18th century, Chinese decorative arts known as chinoiserie were popular in Europe and the American colonies. The border design of Ch’ing Garden includes basket weave and branches. This design was adapted from an 18th century Chinese Export plate. A plate of this design never actually existed. Licensed by Colonia Williamsburg brand.
Sacred Bird and Butterfly
was known in the newly formed America the beginning of the 1800’s. Mottahedeh’s dinner service was developed under the license of Historic Charleston Foundation, using an original plate in their collection as a reference. This iron rust color has a translucent effect overlaid with gold linework. This was first introduced by Mottahedeh in the 1970’s, then discontinued, re-designed and introduced again in 2004. It just shows us that the tastes of the times change, but good design is eternal.
Chelsea Bird
Speaking of great design, Chelsea Bird pattern was developed under the license of Colonia Williamsburg in approximately 1989. The original was produced by one of the first porcelain factories in Europe, the Chelsea Manufactory of London, England in the mid 1700’s During this early period at Chelsea, it was a usual practice for the factory to make white shapes and the send the pieces out to local craftsmen who would paint the decorations according to their own styles. One such artist, James Giles, was widely known for his exotic birds (and maybe fanciful). His designs were known as “disheveled birds. Our dinnerware shapes are original to the early ones manufactured at Chelsea.
Virgina Blue
Inspired by a Chinese export plate in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection, in its day, this pattern was called “china of the most fashionable sort” by Robert Beverly. Similar wares were in use on a Tidewater Virginia plantation at the time of the American Revolution. This version is refreshed with a pearlized ecru color background and the original cobalt blue has been updated to a brilliant periwinkle blue, giving a lacy and gentle effect.
Peacock
Peacock is our modern invention; the flowing colors sparkle as luminous peacock feathers do. The simple center of the dinner plate is the perfect complement to the festive dessert. Color is our forte. We call it effusive, but find it important to go for delicacy and subtlety at the same time. Touched with gold accents.
Sylvanae
Is a pattern but adapted and reintroduced from an original from the Zsolnay manufactury in Hungary. This circular design produced in the 1800s is a remarkable balance of hues and swirls. We have called it Sylvanae, that means Goddesses of the Forestand this another second version of peacock, however fanciful. Note the swirling floral pattern.
R. Haviland and C. Parlon’s encrusted Bengalis
This most luxurious pattern is special order and distributed in the United States by Mottahedeh. It is etched and hand painted.
Bird Figurines
Bird Tureen Creamware
Creamware originals from the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris were the inspiration for these hand appliqued pieces. They are produced in Italy near Venice. The Bird Tureens and other pure white objets have been in our line for more than forty years. Well loved and sought after.
Bassett Hall Bowl
Do you need a big statement on the sideboard, dining table or foyer. This is an exact reproduction of the bowl in Williamsburg’s collection, with cobalt, rust accents and touches of gold. Will serve punch nicely. Our bowl features a bird singing on a branch.
