Although it is not delicate or ornate, Hall china is collectible. The company has made strong, highly resistant china restaurant and institution china for one hundred years, mainly in white, but with over forty strong colors on the outside of table items like sugar packet containers and individual creamers. Like many things, one or two look unimpressive, where a dozen or two of the same items in different colors, or a wide variety of shapes and sizes make a strong display and nice collection.
Begun in 1903 to make toilet sets, white wares and jugs, the company developed a firing technique in 1911 where one high-temp fire bonded newly developed glazes to the china body. The results were highly durable and suitable for restaurants and institutions. Restaurant wares were followed by the Gold Decorated Teapot line. The company added decal decorated dinnerware in 1936, including kitchen items like mixing bowls, coffee and tea pots and refrigerator items on mostly modern shapes.
In addition to the institutional china, the company also makes lighter, non-commercial china. Hall China employed the designer Eva Zeisel to create the Hallcraft Line, with modern china shapes and decorative patterns. In addition, the company worked with various tea and coffee companies of the past, including the Jewel Tea Company, Standard Coffee Company, Great American Tea Company, Grand Union Tea Company, Cook Coffee, and Standard Coffee, to provide Hall tea and coffee pots as premiums to buyers of their products, in a variety of shapes and colors. Refrigerators brought on the design and manufacture of refrigerator wares by the Hall Company, to be sold by the sellers of the appliances, like Sears and Montgomery Wards, as well as the makers of the appliances, like Westinghouse.
The most famous of all the Hall patterns is Autumn Leaf, which debuted in 1933 on kitchen wares, and in 1936 on dinnerware. This pattern was so popular, Hall China sold decals to other companies to use on their ceramics. Eventually the pattern was dropped by the other companies, but Hall continued to make Autumn Leaf items until 1976. Since then special commissions in this pattern were made in 1990 at the request of China Specialties and also for the Hall Collector’s Club.
Looking at the Hall China available, you will recognize them from restaurants. Look for the products at restaurant supply companies, and watch for other Hall China products at flea markets and resale shops. With a little effort you can have a nice collection of beautiful china items by this ling-lived company.
See Hall China.
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