If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably can tell what it is about this topic that I’m very drawn to (and no, it’s not the british spelling of “lustreware”, which is a very close second). Vintage tableware? Check. Pink and red vintage tableware? Check CHECK. And because this is an incredibly niche thing that I’ve been on the hunt for recently and something that I just can’t stop thinking about, I figured it was a good time to hard launch a new series I’ve been cooking up: Beautiful Things Design School (or, BTDS for short). If you’re reading this, you’re officially enrolled! Consider this your welcome packet. Tuition is super cheap, and the professor is really cool. Grading is on a pass fail scale (spoiler: you passed). Topics include the history of niche design items (like lusterware), deep dives into designers and architects you should know, and long lectures on specific design terms, details, and timelines. It’s officially very unofficial and it’s going to be a lot of fun. There’s just so much to know, and I can’t wait to explore together.
For today’s topic, I’d love to talk about the low down on lusterware. I’ve shared lusterware pieces in this newsletter before, in my Vintage Finds vol. I round-up. I also shared a recent lusterware pitcher that I found at auction over on Instagram recently. And today, we’re going to talk about what it is and where to find it.
Lusterware is quite literally truth in advertising: it’s an earthenware pottery (sometimes porcelain but not always porcelain) that is double fired with a mix of chemicals and ceramic glaze with reduced oxygen in the kiln to give it a metallic or iridescent look. I’m not a ceramacist and I’m definitely not a chemist, but the mix of compounds applied in the second firing reduces to create a metal, which makes the pottery itself look metallic. As with most pottery, its origins begin in the Middle East and then Northern Africa, but the more “modern” iterations that we can find today were given a European twist and made popular in Italy and England (thanks to colonization, no doubt). The pieces that can be found today are likely from the 18th and 19th centuries, and were put into mass production by the likes of factories in Staffordshire and by Spode and Wedgwood. Here’s a great rundown of how this technique would have been used in its original creation:
Despite its creation centuries ago, the peak of its modern popularity was in the form of a silver lusterware, widely used by the 18th-19th century European middle class for tea service- making it both accessible and desireable at the same time. These pieces would have had this metallic glaze applied to the entire surface of the pottery, and its popularity with the middle class was due to the fact that most people could not afford silver or silver plated items (both of which were still very expensive at the time). However, because this was pottery and not silver, these pieces were easily breakable, and the gig would soon be up for those trying to pass it off as the more expensive metal. In a book called Chats on English China (1904), tips are given for how to care for your lusterware to keep it safe and make it last:
“to collectors of this ware – do not wash your specimens any more than you can help, as warm water has a deleterious effect on the lusted and tends to make it less brilliant; we recommend our readers to polish their luster ware with a soft cloth, and we wish them absolute and entire freedom from all mishaps.”
Because these pieces were more easily breakable than silver, few full sets of this style of silver lusterware remain. But look at the sheen on these- it looks just like real silver!
There are some single pieces that are still available out there, and despite the full sets being harder to find, the prices for these pieces are still pretty reasonable. And if you follow the tips for care above, you also can preserve these pieces in your own home. Here are a few that I found and love (someone buy that pedestal bowl before I do, please?)
Lusterware Mid-Century Tea Service (a recreationg, but great if you want a whole set!)
It’s easy to see why this style of silver lusterware was popularized in the European and modern world- the finish is stunning. However, lusterware’s roots and enduring popularity are much in part thanks to the colorful pieces, like the stunning pink oil-splattered look that’s still around (and still popular) today. The metallic luster against the pink glaze gave these pieces a coppery iridescent finish that was designed to be highlighted by a gas lantern- the pieces would have been largely decorative, and designed to sit near a flame to reflect light.
This oil splatter treatment was the most popular technique used on this pink lusterware, and it reminds me of a more formal version of splatterware or spongeware, both of which have a more utilitarian look and feel. But this technique wasn’t the only method employed during the glazing and firing process, as evidenced by the Staffordshire jug below (which looks very mid-century to me!) Here are some pink lusterware pieces I’m loving (again, that pedestal footed cup is so good):
Vintage Pink Sugarbowl (while this is likely mid-century or newer, the sheen is still pretty!)
While this pink is stunning, I’m particularly taken with the pink lusterware with transfer printing motifs, popularized in the early 19th century by Wedgwood. Transferware is another subject entirely, but if you’re not familiar, it’s a simple printing technique that was popularized in the 19th century to mimic hand painted pottery pieces at a cheaper and faster rate. It’s not typically the most popular or the most fancy, but you’re definitely familiar with it, even if you don’t know it. It comes in all colors, but is most popular in blue and white landscape motifs, or red and brown options that people love to use around the holidays.
This same technique was combined with the process of firing lusterware in all shades of pink, and was most commonly found on large pot-bellied decorative pitchers (this is what I snagged at auction, and is usually what I’m drawn to- there’s something about the black and white print mixed with the pink that keeps it from feeling too precious to me). It’s still highly desireable today, with the pitchers commanding the most money- but they’re still pretty easy to find. This style is the most common to find today, and you can see it on pitchers, plates, bowls, boxes, and anything decorative. It has the same warm copper metallic glow, and I’m particularly drawn to the typeface and images printed on these pieces- most are ships, or poems, or even religious phrases, and all are British. I imagine that I’ll have an entire cabinet of these pieces one day, or that’s the goal, at least. If this were something I was going to tackle now, here are some pieces that I would start with (I had trouble narrowing them down, as you can see).
Lusterware Plaque, circa 1850 (I love how this phrase is vaguely threatening, but also disguised as pretty religious paraphenalia- it’s a need)
Take Me to London Lusterware Pitcher (say less)
So, do you have a favorite style or look? Are you familiar with lusterware, and do you have any pieces of your own? If not, are you planning to start a collection? I think I need the ‘Take Me to London’ pitcher and one of these scary religious plaques. You can’t go wrong with either, really. So that’s it: the first session of BTDS is complete- class dismissed!
Just read this the other day when you shared it in your summer break post, then immediately saw a set of silver lusterware at a thrift shop on the cape! Was very tempted but ultimately too nervous to try to fly with it. $75 felt like a good price for a coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl and creamer though!
Love this column! Can't wait for more from this series!