It is 2017 and what is old is new again. So, it is no surprise to see blue and white dishes (and table linens, and accessories) coming back to tables everywhere, with patterns ranging from traditional to modern and innovative.
Iconic blue
Blue and white dishes have a nostalgic feel because they have a big place in history - going back hundreds of years. Cobalt pigment was a breakthrough development in decorative ceramics and, through early Silk Road global trade, the pigment and more elaborate techniques of application spread from the Middle East to China and then to Europe.
Cobalt ore was first mined in northern Afghanistan, and used in detailed Islamic art. That complex scrolling style made its way to China during the 13th century. The result was pure white porcelain and flowing, yet precise, cobalt depictions of dragons, birds, and vines. As the Silk Road flourished, European traders brought back products that stunned their countrymen: porcelain was an astonishingly light and fragile material that hadn't been seen before and could not be reproduced.
Blue and white porcelain spread west from China, and artisans along nearly every stop developed their own take on the intricate art form. As European producers finally developed their own porcelain and bone China they found cobalt was extremely durable, able to withstand high heat and glazing. To this day, many blue and white dinnerware sets have echoes of patterns from many years gone by - the sign of hundreds of years of international exchange of goods and ideas.
Styling your table
Hermes kicked off the return to blue and white with a collection that celebrates the history of porcelain and the journey of blue from east to west: . Formal and festive, yet accessible, each piece within the range has a different significance. You'll find polka dots inspired by Japanese ceramics, a cheerful blue rose reminiscent of antique Chinese patterns, while a blue and white star celebrates a Dutch tile take on blue and white. Every aspect has been studied, modernized, and simplified for a vibrant table with a killer story.
But nearly every major dinnerware company is coming out with designs in blue and white. It marks a turn away from highly saturated tropical colors to cooler tones, with plenty of different looks for each preference.
Those looking for a more traditional table will see a variety of ornate patterns in cobalt with platinum details, like Bernadaud’s Eventail Blue, or the geometric Renaissance Gold from Wedgwood. Formal sets like these make a big, beautiful statement. But because they are so detailed, they can be difficult to accessorize beyond plain white table linens.
Blue and white can also be vivid and imaginative. Transatlantica by Vista Alegre has the vintage feel of swirling blue and white tones, but varies the pattern among each piece for a dynamic - and very photogenic - table. This line is perfect for everyday use, but hand done platinum elements can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
For an artistic feeling, think more white with dark blue motifs, like the Ocean collection by Hering Berlin. The mix of different tones of blue fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans are beautiful in their simplicity. The large amount of white space also pairs well with a wider variety of serving pieces and tabletop accessories.
In a similar vein, Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Mega (a riff on a famous design from the 1700s) is fun and modern, but match it with a blue checked or calico tablecloth and it’s excellent for a chic country cottage look.
With so many options, it’s no surprise blue and white is back - especially with the popularity of open kitchen shelving, since the bi-colored patterns can double as beautiful displays. Blue and white dishes give a polished tabletop look that moves from season to season with ease. Because of the classic look and versatility, they make a great long term investment for dishes that will never go out of style.
