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What is in a dinnerware set? or what is a place setting?
By admin | March 20, 2009
The definition of a dinnerware set varies by dinnerware category and by manufacturer. There are a lot of different assortments of dinnerware sets, so here are some guidelines.
In casual dinnerware, for most manufacturers, a basic dinnerware set is 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls, and 4 mugs.
In formal dinnerware, the basic dinnerware set is a placesetting, which usually contains 1 dinner plate, 1 salad plate, 1 bread and butter plate, 1 cup, and 1 saucer.
From a historical point of view, the dinnerware industry started with formal dinnerware, which is why the bread and butter plate is part of the place setting. Usually soup or cereal is not part of a formal meal, so there was no need to put a bowl in the place setting. As soup became a more popular food for formal dining, a low wide bowl was created for most formal dinnerware patterns. The soup bowl was often sold as a separate item. Today, there are some formal placesettings where the 5 pieces are 1 dinner plate, 1 salad plate, 1 soup bowl, 1 cup, and 1 saucer.
As Americans embraced the casual lifestyle, the dinnerware industry created another category of dinnerware, called casual dinnerware.
Americans wanted solutions for their home, a lower priced option and more pieces that they would use. To achieve a lower price, casual dinnerware was usually made of stoneware or earthenware or glass. Instead of offering one placesetting, the dinnerware industry created a 20 piece set: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 soup or cereal bowls, 4 cups, and 4 saucers. Yes, the dinnerware industry was slow to change. Today, the standard dinnerware set is a 16 piece set, where the 4 cups and 4 saucers are replaced by 4 mugs.
When shopping, READ THE BOX. There are a large variety of “special” dinnerware sets out there for you to buy.
12 piece set – 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 mugs,br />
OR
12 piece set – 4 dinner plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs
and lots and lots of “expanded sets” with extra pieces like serving bowls or platters, salt & pepper shakers, and . . . the list goes on and on.
Remember, you are going to look at these plates, bowls, and mugs for every meal, so pick a pattern you like, and then figure out which pieces are the ones you want.
Topics: Dinnerware information, dinner and dining tips | No Comments »