For years and years, dinner time in the United States meant sitting around the kitchen table with your family, and enjoying a meal together. It seemed that eating off of a nice dinner set with a plate, knife, fork, spoon, glass, napkins and a centerpiece, was a ritual that was performed every night. Alas, it's a far rarer event these days, but it's still a great way to enjoy some great conversation, and welcome in the evening hours.
In this article we will go back in time and examine the history behind the humble dinner set. Where did it originate? What are the various types? What are some of the best examples available today? These are some of the things we will be discussing in this article.
The civilizations of the ancient world were characterized by the pottery that remained long after the civilization had passed. When archaeologists were digging around their various archaeological sites they would come across these items, and it's interesting to note that people often valued these items so much that they were buried with them.
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".
In today's world, most of our collectable and valuable dinnerware is made out of pottery, not the original porcelain. Sometimes referred to as "earthenware", it was extremely popular during the time of Elvis and the Beatles (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).
We hope you liked this little history of the dinner set. We will be offering our TOP PICKS in future articles. If you feel that you can't wait, please visit us on our blog. - 30536
In this article we will go back in time and examine the history behind the humble dinner set. Where did it originate? What are the various types? What are some of the best examples available today? These are some of the things we will be discussing in this article.
The civilizations of the ancient world were characterized by the pottery that remained long after the civilization had passed. When archaeologists were digging around their various archaeological sites they would come across these items, and it's interesting to note that people often valued these items so much that they were buried with them.
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".
In today's world, most of our collectable and valuable dinnerware is made out of pottery, not the original porcelain. Sometimes referred to as "earthenware", it was extremely popular during the time of Elvis and the Beatles (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).
We hope you liked this little history of the dinner set. We will be offering our TOP PICKS in future articles. If you feel that you can't wait, please visit us on our blog. - 30536
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Want to find out more about a particular Dinner Set, then visit Diana Richards's site on how to choose the best Dinner Set for all your needs.
