The Piece

A charming mid-century Canonsburg Pottery Co. bread-and-butter plate, decorated with a delicate spray of roses, soft gray foliage, and a bright blue songbird perched lightly among the blossoms. The design is quintessential 1950s Americana: romantic, pastoral, and subtly optimistic, painted with the gentle hand-tinted look that defined post-war dinnerware.

The creamy ivory glaze gives the plate a warm, soft luster, while the thin sky-blue line circling the rim adds just enough structure to balance the florals. Light utensil wear and faint surface speckling reveal its age gracefully—just enough patina to feel lived-in, loved, and authentic. It reads like something placed on a kitchen table at sunrise, beside a cup of coffee, soft radio static, and the beginning of an ordinary American day.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style

The plate features a classic mid-century coupe profile—slightly recessed center, gently raised rim, and a light, airy silhouette devised for everyday functionality. The floral decal is positioned off-center, creating a fresh, asymmetrical balance typical of 1950s tableware design.

Its aesthetic sits between cottage charm and mid-century sweetness: minimal lines, romantic florals, and a color palette that feels both cheerful and serene.

→ Materials

• Vitreous semi-porcelain (typical of Canonsburg production)

• Ivory-toned glaze with hand-applied decal

• Fired blue line rim embellishment

• Hard, durable finish intended for home dining use

• Backstamp: Canonsburg Pottery Co., Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

The plate has a pleasing weight—sturdy and functional, not fragile—reflecting the brand’s reputation for reliable, accessible household ceramics.

→ Functional Versatility

Originally used as a bread-and-butter plate, it now works beautifully as:

• dessert or pastry plate

• jewelry or bedside catchall

• display piece in a vintage kitchen

• styling element in cottagecore or farmhouse interiors

• wall-hung miniature artwork

Its combination of floral charm and mid-century clean lines makes it adaptable across many design styles.

History & Provenance

Founded in 1900 and operating until 1978, Canonsburg Pottery Co. was one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved mid-century ceramic manufacturers. In the 1940s–1960s, they produced dozens of floral and pastel-accented lines for American households—durable, affordable, and visually comforting after the austerity of WWII.

The backstamp on this piece dates it firmly to the 1950s–1960s, during the company’s peak. The rose-and-songbird motif is consistent with their post-war patterns, which emphasized domestic warmth, nature motifs, and optimistic color.

Pieces from this era are collected today for their gentle nostalgia and the way they capture the aesthetic softness of mid-century American life.

Condition

Beautiful vintage condition with:

• light utensil marks

• minor speckling and glaze wear consistent with age

• intact floral decal with excellent color

• no cracks or structural damage

The wear has settled into a warm, honest patina—subtle enough for use, distinct enough for character.

Product Details

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This plate blends nostalgia and simplicity in a way only mid-century American ceramics can: floral but not fussy, soft but not fragile, charming without trying too hard. Whether used as an everyday dish, a styling prop, or a decorative accent, it brings a sense of familiarity—like something passed across a family table, gently washed, and stacked in a warm wooden cupboard.

It’s a small piece, but it carries the comfort and optimism of the American mid-century kitchen with it.