Lithophanes were probably created first in China and Japan, where porcelain has been made for so long. Once the secret of porcelain was discovered by the Europeans, lithophanes became a common product of some of the finest porcelain makers in Europe in the 1820′s. Lithophanes are still being made today, and by well known porcelain makers, including Lenox and Wedgwood.

The scenes portrayed in lithophanes are usually simple and emotionally appealing, including angels, short prayers and religious icons. There are also plenty of lithophanes portraying flowers or the animals we keep as pets. Some scenes are made, especially snow scenes, and there are even copies of famous artwork made as lithophanes.

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The term lithophane comes from litho, the Greek word for “stone”, and phainein, the Greek for “to cause to appear suddenly”. This can describe the sudden exposure of a figure in the bottom of a cup or stein, as one finishes a drink. Often this is a head, but on occasion a full nude is exposed in this manner.

Lamps with lithophane panels formed into the lamp shade or nightlights are still in production today, with both time-honored images and with those derived from popular culture, like Amy Brown fairies. Although these small miracles are not commonly available, they are not hard to find online.

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A Twentieth Century china company with industrially designed china shapes and modern decorations for the home. Simply designed and decorated lines were made for the commercial china arena, and Iroquois china was used in some of the finest hotels and dining cars in the US in the first half of the century. All Iroquois china is well marked.

My Opinion

These are Twentieth Century shapes and designs at their best. Find a pattern you like and collect it, or go for various pieces from several shapes and patterns. Most will give an authentic retro feel to your dining table.

See Iroquois China.

Product Lines

dinnerware in various modern shapes and with modern decal decorations
no flatware or crystal made specifically to match
no collectibles

Prices

Still quite reasonable.

Collector’s Society

None.

The Official Company Site

None.

History

The Iroquois China Company was established in 1905 in Solvey, Syracuse, New York, in a plant built for another china company that never even took possession. Iroquois employed some of the big industrial designers of the time to design their china forms, including Russel Wright, Ben Seibel, Michael Lax, and even Peter Max. The modern forms coming from these designers fit the modern decal decorations well. Iroquois also produced a number of patterns on a china design of an older style named Museum White, or Henry Ford Museum, with squared off handles and angled rather than round shapes in the serving pieces. Some of the china designs called for stacking salt and pepper or sugar and creamer, for space saving as well as modern design.

Iroquois produced many forms of restaurant and commercial china for transportation companies as well as the restaurant trade.

Production ceased in 1969.

Go to the Table of Contents to see all the topics covered so far.

Read more about porcelain collectibles in the Porcelain Collectibles Guide.