World's largest, most authoritive, and complete selection of unique and beautifully crafted antique U.S. Navy china and vintage Naval restaurantware hotel china with a distinctive "nautical theme and nautical decor" used by the United States Navy and Merchant Marine from the early 1900's through the 1970's until supply ran out. Call 540-659-6209
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This durable hand glazed and hand stenciled vitrified nautical china dinnerware was produced for the U.S. Navy by leading manufacturers of fine chinaware such as
Homer Laughlin China Co , Tepco History**, Walker*, Jackson*, Oneida China Co,
Buffalo*, Sterling*, Syracuse*, Mayer*, and Shenango* which all offered a complete breakfast, lunch, and dinner tableware collection of navy plates, navy dishes, navy bowls, mugs, navy cups, saucers and fine dining accessory pieces.
*manufacturers no longer in existence, **wonderful history of Tepco and how fine china was produced long ago
Clck Here to Download The Pirate's Lair Glossy 4 Panel Brochure in PDF - 4MB's
Click link to view photo |
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![]() Large Navy Anchor Dinner Plate |
10" | $59. | |
![]() Large Navy Anchor Dinner Plate w/ Light Utensil Marks |
10" | $19. | 540 659 6209 |
![]() Salad or Lunch Plate |
9" | $35. | |
![]() Dessert or Salad Plate |
7" | $29. | |
![]() Bread and Butter Plate |
6" | $24. | |
![]() Large Flat Rim Soup Bowl |
9" | $59. | |
![]() RARE! Deep Medium Serving Bowl |
5.75" | Sold! |
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![]() Cereal Bowl |
7" | $25. | |
![]() Berry or Side Bowl - RARE |
4" | $45. | |
![]() Celery, Relish, Butter Dish |
8" oblong | $65. | |
![]() Formal Dinner Coffee or Tea Cup |
3.25" | $29. | |
![]() Informal Coffee or Tea Cup |
3.25" | $29. | |
![]() Bouillon Cup, Double Handle |
3.25 | $35. | |
![]() Coffee or Tea Cup Saucer |
6" | $23. | |
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Informal Coffee Cup, Saucer, Silverplate Kings Design Teaspoon Set: Fouled Anchor |
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![]() Demitasse Coffee Cup, small |
2" | $30. | |
![]() Demitasse Saucer, small |
4" | $25. | |
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Demitasse Coffee Cup, Saucer, Teaspoon Set: Fouled Anchor |
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![]() Egg Cup, Double Ended (also used as a wine goblet) |
2.5" | $75. | |
![]() Egg Cup, Single Ended FOOTED |
3" | $65. | |
![]() Large Watch Standing Mug or Custard Cup, NON-FOOTED |
3.25" | $125. per Mug |
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![]() RARE! Pre-WWII Large, Deep Serving Bowl - by Tepco |
10" Note: Exact same style serving bowl shown in underwater footage on the Military Channel's documentary "Pearl Harbor Declassified" by National Park Service divers when externally inspecting the USS Arizona! |
$165. | |
![]() RARE! WWII Large, Deep Serving Bowl |
10" | $195. | |
![]() VERY RARE! Large Oval Anchor Serving Platter |
13.25" x 9" | $325. Sold! |
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![]() VERY RARE! Oval Anchor Serving Platter |
10.75" x 7" only 0 available |
Sold! |
540 659 6209 |
![]() VERY RARE! Anchor Serving Platter |
7" x 5" only 0 available |
Sold! |
540 659 6209 |
![]() RARE! Tall Coffee Mug |
3.75" tall | Sold! |
540 659 6209 |
![]() SPECIAL! 10 Piece Placesetting China AND Silverware! |
10pc GREAT STARTER SETTING 9.75" Dinner Plate, 7.25" Salad Plate, 6" Butter/Roll Plate 7" Bowl, Coffee Cup and Saucer Regulation Kings Design Fork, Knife, Teaspoon, Soup/Dinner Spoon. |
$269. | |
![]() SPECIAL! 6 Piece Placesetting Matching China Only! |
6pc CHINA ONLY STARTER SET 9.75" Dinner Plate, 7.25" Salad Plate, 6" Butter/Roll Plate 7" Bowl, Coffee Cup and Saucer. |
$179. | |
![]() Complete 16 Piece China Placesetting |
16pc CHINA ONLY Consisting Of: Large 9.75" Dinner Plate, 7" Salad or Bread Plate, 6" Butter and Roll Plate, 9" Large Soup Bowl, 7" Cereal Bowl, 4" Berry or Dessert Bowl, 8" oblong Relish Dish, 1 Formal Dinner Coffee Cup w Saucer, Informal After Dinner Coffee Cup w Saucer, Double Handled Bouillon Cup w Saucer, Demitasse Coffee Cup w Saucer, Egg Cup or Handless Mug with Foot. | $499. | |
Below are some bracelets made from vintage US Navy silverware. This remake of military items into other usage is also known as the time honored Trench Art and is highly prized.
WW2 Navy Silverplate - Rare Naval Trenchart - Small and Medium Size |
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WW2 Navy Silverplate - Rare Naval Trenchart - Small Size |
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WW2 Navy Silverplate - Rare Naval Trenchart - Small Size |
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WW2 Navy Silverplate - Rare Naval Trenchart - Small Size |
![]() Click Photo for More Info and Photos! |
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Of Special Note: This 60+ year old vintage Navy china tableware was hand crafted, hand glazed, hand dipped, hand stenciled, and they just don't make it like they used to! The perfect nautical gift idea for women
US Navy China by Officer Rank Insignia Topmark |
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Naval chinaware is a handsome industrial-grade antique china dinnerware durable enough to be used as everyday dinnerware yet elegant enough for formal military Navy dining-in occasions! It has a beautiful snow white finish, almost a transluscent glaze, highlighted with rich dark blue stripes and Naval insignia (or "top marks"), such as the traditional Navy fouled anchor, Captain's pennant, Admiral's flag with stars, and the nautical theme square-knot.
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Wardroom Officer Limited Pattern RARE! - 1960's Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Anchor + USN - $59. |
Warrant Officer Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - USN - $125. |
Junior Grade Officer Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Navy Square Knot - $125. |
Wardroom Officer Review Complete Patter Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Blue Fouled Anchor (most popular) - $25. |
Navy Captain Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Streaming Pennant with 4 Stars - $125. |
Rear Admiral, Upper Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() bouillon cup - Flag with 2 Stars - $125. |
Vice Admiral Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() large watch standing mug - Flag with 3 Stars - $50. |
Full or Fleet Admiral Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Flag with 4 Stars - $150. |
Secretary of the Navy Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Department of the Navy Seal - $50. |
Senior Naval Officer - Limited Production Pattern RARE! late 1940's-1950's Review Complete Pattern Click Here |
![]() demitasse cup - Eagle + USN - $59. |
The below Information and Ordering Table provides a complete list of the various types and sizes of plates, dishes, bowls, cups and saucers with the most popular Anchor Insignia which make up a typical place setting of Navy china for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
From the late 1800's through mid 1900's the United States Navy commissioned various makers of fine china such as Homer Laughlin, Tepco, Buffalo, Sterling, Mayer, Jackson, Walker, Syracuse, and Shenango to produce complete "soup to nuts" tableware for the U.S. Navy's Officer Corps. This "Navy China" was used extensively during WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam in officer wardrooms, galleys and mess halls aboard all sizes and class of ship, submarine, and shore facility.
The U.S. Navy has traditionally taken good care of its Officer Corps! For sailing the high seas at any time can be a hard and treacherous undertaking as the ocean can be cruel and unforgiving, leaving little margin for error. However going to war aboard a ship, whether large or small, can be a particularly hazardous venture. In recognition of their service, the US Navy provided a certain level of comfort for its sailors, while also preserving traditional military decorum and separation of rank.
This fine Navy China was also used as the official and formal dinnerware of Captains, Admirals, Department and Secretary of the Navy civilian leadership. Most of the Naval China currently available was produced during WW1 and WW2 for use aboard our aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and large support vessels. When these various Navy warships were sent into decommission at the end of WW1 and WW2 many of the officers took home with them the very plates, bowls, cups and dishes which they themselves used while aboard their warship. This Naval China "memorabilia" ultimately found its way into attics and cellars safely stored away in boxes and chests until they were re-found, typically in an estate sale. Imagine having a piece of this valuable American history which in all likelihood saw combat action somewhere on the seven seas, and now to be used and celebrated in your home!
Historically, most of the major providers of fine china produced exclusive lines of dinnerware for transcontinental railroads, airlines, passenger ships, major corporations, famous restaurants and hotels, as well as for the United States Navy. This type of fine yet durable china was known in the trade as "restaurantware". Restaurantware in and of itself can be highly collectible as antique china, especially if the producer no longer exists! However Naval China used in the galleys aboard ships by our sailors during times of war is part of our national heritage which makes this type of restaurantware most highly prized. Additionally, restaurantware in general, and certainly Naval China in particular, was made to last for many years, able withstand heavy and harsh industrial use which would normally destroy the glaze and dull the luster of lesser quality and much lighter china that was typically sold to the general public.
Naval China was hand glazed with each and every navy plate, navy bowl, navy dish, navy cup and saucer made to be used by sailors and cooks working in rough and rolling seas in all types of weather. This Naval dinnerware needed to be heavy and durable to withstand the harsh cleansers and environment they were to be used in. This makes them perfect for long and continued home, recreational or industrial use!
A fun anecdotal note is that when underway aboard a U.S. Navy warship one would find when sitting down to dine that the tablecloth would be slightly damp with sea water! This was a sailor's tradition handed down over the ages from seafarer to seafarer. However as in most traditions at sea it had a practical side as its basis! The "damping of the tablecloth" was to help ensure that the plates, dishes, bowls and cups along with the silverware was kept from "sliding"
around the table as the ship pitched and rolled with the waves. The sea salt also helped prevent spilled food and drink from staining the tablecloth! Between the heavy weight of the tableware and the damp tablecloth the seamen could only then be able to eat while underway in moderate to even in heavy seas! This "dampening of the tablecloth" was even practiced at US Navy Shore Installations so as to uphold and continue this unique Naval tradition.
Additionally, the U.S. Navy commissioned various makers of fine linens to produce these exquisite and beautifully designed heavy damask tablecloths and napkins that were made to be heavily used while at sea. The Pirate's Lair now has available these wonderful vintage white damask U.S. Navy tablecloths and antique napkins.
They are beautifully embroidered and patterned in a nautical theme with white-on-white designs of eagles, fouled anchors, stars and coiled rope! Click HERE to review these wonderful antique tablecloth and napkin complements to your Naval China and Silverware.
What really is a "Fouled Anchor"? Much of the Navy's China, Silverware and Hollow ware serving pieces pieces have wonderful intricately detailed Navy anchors with rope glazed or engraved onto them. As you probably have guessed these types of "anchors" are the official emblem or insiginia of the United States Navy, and are sometimes referred to as the "Navy Anchor".
However you may have also noticed that this type of Navy Anchor insignia also closely resembles similar renditions used by other Navies as well as our own.
To be accurate the true nautical term for this depicted Navy Anchor is a "Fluked and Stocked Navy-type Fouled Anchor", or for short just a "Fouled Fluked Anchor", yes it even has a real name!
The term "Fouled Anchor" means that the rope or chain which holds the anchor to the ship is wrapped around or "fouling" the anchor. A fouled anchor is a dangerous affair for a ship and its crew even under the best of sea conditions. Anchors are heavy, very heavy, and when a rope or chain gets twisted around it (or fouled), someone has to get it untangled (or unfouled), without getting mangled, drowned or both in the process.
Most often Navy anchors are so heavy and get so fouled that the only thing left to do is cut off the fouled length of rope or chain and re-attach the anchor! No small feat when in the middle of the ocean and no way to keep the boat secure. At best, one small mistake and your anchor is now at the bottom of Davey Jone's Locker! Under the worst conditions such as when trying to berth the ship in foul weather (pun intended), a fouled anchor will mean that the ship cannot anchor itself in-place!
Next, the "Flukes" of an anchor (sometimes known as the "palm") are those pointy parts of the anchor which grab (or anchor) onto the ocean floor thereby holding the ship in place.
The flukes of an anchor are attached to the "Shank" which is the upright part of the anchor. The rope or chain securing the ship to the anchor are attached to the ring at the head of the shank.
Finally, the "Stock" of the anchor is the steel bar or wooden brace which is horizontally attached close to the top of the shank.
So from top to bottom the parts of a "Navy-type Fouled Anchor" are:
The "Ring" is connected to the top of the shank and it is the ring that the securing rope or chain is connected to.
The "Shank" is the upright part or body of the anchor
The "Stock" is the part of the anchor which crosses the shank horizontally near the top and below the ring, can be steel or wood, straight or twisted!
The "Throat" is attached to the bottom part of the shank providing left and right arms
The "Flukes" (or Palms) are attached to the left and right sides of the throat (these are the two pointy parts)
The "Bill" (or Pea) is the pointy part at the very end of the fluke
Besides the Naval China, during this same period the Department of the Navy also contracted with leading makers of fine silverware and holloware to produce complete and complimentary placesettings of beautifully designed and engraved silverplated forks, knives, spoons, serving bowls and trays, coffee and tea pots, water pitchers and carving utensils. At The Pirate's Lair
we have an extensive line Navy Silverware from the late 1800's to mid 1900's for your review and consideration by clicking here for U.S. Navy Silverware and Naval Flatware, which is the perfect complement to your Naval China!
What the various designs found on the Naval china really signify! Staying within the U.S. Navy's strict officer caste system the Department of the Navy had complete sets of fine china made specifically for the mess hall and officer wardrooms of each officer grade level: a fouled anchor with letters USN for Chief Petty Officers a square knot for Junior Officers, letters USN for Warranty Officers, a streaming pennant with 4 stars for Captains, square flag with 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars for Admirals, and the Navy Seal for the Department of the Navy's civilian and military leadership. Each officer grade was then given this special restaurantware "top mark" or design insignia which was imprinted and made part of the glaze on each piece of china dinnerware.
As an interesting side note, the specific insignia (or top mark), used on the Navy China for each Officer Rank was also used on all of the Naval Silverware and Silverplate eating and serving utensils. Imagine having a complete set of fine nautical themed china dinnerware and silverware matching place settings! Or having each place setting at your table as a different Officer Rank which is available at The Pirate's Lair!
Unfortunately, the U.S. Navy discontinued the time honored tradition of issuing this beautiful antique china in the mid-1960's after the manufacturer's supplies ran out, and it was never replaced, which further makes this fine china a great investment! Currently only small quantities of this fine china can be found. The Pirate's Lair scours the world to obtain the best pieces to be found and makes them available to you.
Ironically, today individual ship commanders and officers of the U.S. Navy now purchase this antique Navy china from The Pirate's Lair for use aboard present-day warships! Sailors today can now use and enjoy the same dinnerware and silverware used by their Naval bretheren of long ago!
Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest |
![]() Click Here To Review Sample Engravings |
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Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!! |
![]() Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers |
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If you are a military retirement gift or as a promotion gift needing nautical dinnerware or nautical tableware this distinctive and unique restaurantware is perfect.
All Navy chinaware is also known as hotel china with an anchor on a demitasse navy cup by vitrified china manufacturers such as homer laughlin, tepco, sterling, buffalo, jackson, walker, oneida, and shenango.
This are antique china and vintage china makers for the officers mess and officers wardroom