History
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007

WHAT DOES THE BLUE DANUBE PATTERN REPRESENT?

Blue Danube was inspired by designs from the Chinese Yuan Dynasty period (1260-1368 A.D.). The flowers depict the ancient Chinese symbols of good fortune and happiness. The original design has been in production for more than 200 years. The unique and sought after patterns have helped the Blue Danube China line blossom into the most complete dinnerware pattern currently sold in the United States with over one hundred items available.

Created in 1951, Blue Danube is an exquisite pattern, underglazed on translucent porcelain. Blue Danube is under glazed and fired at temperatures in excess of 2600 degrees, making each piece highly chip resistant, dishwasher safe, detergent proof and microwave safe. It is also lead free. Several items are designated as oven safe up to 500 degrees. These are the following: Soufflé Dish, Pie Dish, Au Gratins, Individual 6” Casserole, 1 Qt. and 1 ½ Qt Casserole, and the 1 ½ Qt oval casserole.

The original backstamp was used from 1951-1976. This has the words Blue Danube in script on a ribbon banner with the words Reg. US. Pat. Off. underneath. The Rectangular Backstamp dates from 1977-1996. By using different backstamps the company states that it “provides the Blue Danube collectors a dating method adding value to the older pieces.” The current stamp has script words Blue Danube and a swirl decorative line “frame” around them. They also had a commemorative one for their 50th anniversary 1951-2001 pieces.