{"product_id":"vintage-us-navy-wardroom-china-saucer","title":"US Navy Wardroom China Saucer Homer Laughlin November 1960","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"96\"\u003eU.S. Navy wardroom china saucer, part of the formal dining set used by officers. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"216\"\u003eThe stamp “Homer Laughlin Best China USA ZA11” refers to a piece made by the Homer Laughlin China Company, one of America’s largest pottery makers (founded 1871, in East Liverpool, OH, later in Newell, WV).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"216\"\u003e6\" Diameter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"239\"\u003eBreaking it down:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"240\" data-end=\"605\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"240\" data-end=\"446\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"446\"\u003eHomer Laughlin Best China → Their “Best China” line, introduced in the mid-20th century as a vitrified, heavy-duty commercial ware for restaurants, institutions, railroads, and the military.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"487\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"449\" data-end=\"487\"\u003eUSA → Made in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"488\" data-end=\"605\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"490\" data-end=\"605\"\u003eZA11 → This is a date\/manufacturer code. Homer Laughlin used two-letter codes to indicate plant and date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"627\"\u003eDating the code:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"831\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"690\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"690\"\u003eThe first letter (Z) identifies the plant or kiln.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"691\" data-end=\"831\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"693\" data-end=\"766\"\u003eThe second letter (A) plus numbers indicate the year and month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"831\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"831\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"831\"\u003eIn this case, A = 1960s decade, and 11 = November.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"863\"\u003eSo ZA11 = November 1960.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"877\"\u003eContext:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"1237\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"880\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003eBy 1960, Homer Laughlin was producing a lot of institutional china for the U.S. military and government contracts, so your piece may well be Navy or Army mess hall china.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1237\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1063\" data-end=\"1237\"\u003eTheir Best China line was prized for durability, and many pieces were marked only with the maker’s backstamp, while others carried Navy or USN anchor logos on the face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"115\"\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"548\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"230\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"118\" data-end=\"230\"\u003eSeal\/Insignia: At the top, you can see the U.S. Navy crest, which is typical of wardroom service ware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"413\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"413\"\u003eGold and Blue Trim: The fine gold banding with a blue line along the edge identifies it as officer’s wardroom china, which was more decorative than enlisted messware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"414\" data-end=\"548\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"416\" data-end=\"548\"\u003eShape: It’s a saucer, designed to accompany a matching coffee or teacup. The indentation in the center holds the cup securely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"562\"\u003eContext:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"895\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"662\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"662\"\u003eUsed in the wardroom, the dining area reserved for commissioned officers aboard Navy ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"663\" data-end=\"757\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"665\" data-end=\"757\"\u003ePart of a full service set that included plates, cups, saucers, bowls, and serving pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"895\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"760\" data-end=\"895\"\u003eThe design you see here was common from the mid-20th century (WWII era through Cold War) and is now collectible Navy memorabilia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Maupin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47271961723095,"sku":null,"price":24.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1501\/8628\/files\/104_4995.jpg?v=1759932109","url":"https:\/\/annapolismaritimeantiques.com\/en-au\/products\/vintage-us-navy-wardroom-china-saucer","provider":"Annapolis Maritime Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}