Kutani Crane by Wedgwood
Persian Pheasant by Tiffin/Franciscan
Birch Hall by Reed & Barton
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Kutani Crane by Wedgwood is a high-quality bone china design featuring two cranes nestled amongst bamboo and floral details at the center of the plate, exquisite floral groupings on the rim, and geometric and floral designs on the outside rim, with gold trim. The pastel colors work  beautifully with a wide variety of table linens. Pieces in the pattern are becoming increasingly rare - Kutani Crane is highly sought after for the beauty of its complementary themes and for the elegance of its shape. The pattern dates back to the Kaga province, a mountainous region of Japan, where “Old Kutani” porcelain was produced four centuries ago. Those designs were borrowed from even older Chinese art. In China the crane is a symbol for the blessing of longevity. A pair of cranes, like those on Kutani Crane, are the highest depiction of long life!

Persian Pheasant by Tiffin/Franciscan is a crystal pattern of subtle beauty. Two pheasants are perched in the foliage of a flower-filled urn on the bowl of the glass, which also has a straight-line optic design. The stem of the glass is knobbed and ribbed, with a round, clear foot. The pheasant etching is highly ornate, reminiscent of the intricate Persian designs we often associate with the magnificent carpets of the region (now Iran). The Persian pheasant, often called the ring-necked pheasant, was introduced to the North American continent in the 1880s, and would have been familiar to outdoorsmen in Ohio, where Tiffin Glass Company was located. Tiffin/Franciscan was long noted for the high quality of its crystal, and this shimmering, delicate pattern is a masterwork.

Reed & Barton Birch Hall is a ribbed design 18/10 stainless steel pattern that flares to a scallop shape at the end of the handle, with glossy finish (18/10 represents the ratio of chromium and nickel used in the stainless steel, and indicates the quality and luster of the pieces). While Birch Hall is very stylish, its clean design is an ideal complement to the more elaborate Kutani Crane and Persian Pheasant. The origins of Reed & Barton date back to 1822 in Taunton, MA. Now well into its second century, Reed & Barton is a leading producer of sterling silver and stainless steel. Birch Hall is an excellent example of the company’s fine craftsmanship.

To browse and order in a great selection of china, crystal, and sterling pieces, start at these links!

• Kutani Crane by Wedgwood
• Persian Pheasant by Tiffin/Franciscan
• Birch Hall by Reed & Barton

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