A vitrified restaurant ware plate produced by the Carr China Company of Grafton, West Virginia. The plate features a crisp underglaze blue transfer-printed border design of classical urns linked by delicate beaded swags and floral festoons, set against a clean white ground. Designed for durability in commercial or institutional settings, this piece exemplifies the refined neoclassical patterns adapted for American hotel ware during the mid-20th century.

Historical & Style Details

• Artist / Maker: Carr China Company
• Period: Early 20th Century
• Origin: United States
• Material / Technique: Underglaze transfer print on vitrified china
• Materials: Vitrified porcelain
• Markings: Stamped on the reverse in green underglaze: "CARR CHINA CO / GRAFTON, W. VA / 47"
• Decorative Details: Neoclassical border depicting classical urns and draped beaded festoons in cobalt blue
• Colour & Surface: White ground with cobalt blue decoration; glossy glazed finish
• Condition: Minor wear to the rim with faint discoloration and staining, light surface scratches consistent with age and use, otherwise structurally sound with no chips or cracks

History

The Carr China Company operated in Grafton, West Virginia, from 1916 until its closure in 1953, becoming highly regarded for its durable, vitrified hotel ware supplied to restaurants, hotels, and passenger trains across the United States. Neoclassical motifs, such as the urn and festoon border seen here, were popular choices for commercial establishments seeking to project an air of traditional elegance. Pieces bearing the Grafton backstamp are highly collectible examples of mid-century American industrial design and commercial pottery history.