Dave and I have a nice set of Cambridge Rose Point crystal that we enjoy using, with goblets, iced teas, pitcher, bowls, relish dishes, candle holders, serving plates. Rose Point is a gorgeous pattern and one we love on the table.
I’ve been thinking of adding a set of colored glass dinnerware, depression glass or elegant, something beautiful with a pretty design that will be a full set with plates and tumblers and serving pieces, not necessarily stemware. My favorite glass colors are green, sunny yellow and rich amber and I’ve been considering which patterns come in these colors.
Some of my favorite green patterns are Cameo or Florentine Poppy. I love the mold etched scrolls and swags and flowers. There are many more green depression patterns but these are the ones I keep coming back to.
In elegant glass, leaving aside anything in the olive range, we have Fostoria Vesper, Versailles, Vernon, Acanthus, or Cambridge Apple Blossom.
I don’t have any photos of Acanthus – it’s not at all common or easy to find – and my only Vernon picture is this blue cereal bowl. Just swap the blue out for the same green as the Vesper candle holder
Yellow is Cameo, Florentine Poppy or S Pattern/Stippled Rose in Depression, or for elegant consider the beautiful Trojan or June from Fostoria.
Amber would be Vesper, one of my long time favorites, or one of the gorgeous border etches from Cambridge like this one:
These are all beautiful patterns even if my photos don’t do them justice (looking at you, S Pattern creamer!) It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite from this list, so I need to consider other factors.
Since we plan to use these, I want a pattern that has designs in the centers of plates. That helps obscure any scratches because your eye skips right over faint wear marks. Scratches really show up on plates with gorgeous clear centers. That simple criterion rules out all the elegant patterns because they all have the designs on the rim and leave plate centers clear.
Now we’re looking at Cameo green or yellow, Florentine Poppy green or yellow or S pattern. Let’s consider the shape. I don’t want to pick plates or bowls that have definite sharp inner rims that can chip. All of these patterns are OK; Cameo and Florentine grill plates have rims but the regular plates do not.
Price and availability are next. S Pattern is relatively difficult to find although also relatively inexpensive. Cameo or Florentine are reasonably easy to find and with care one can get a usable set without spending exorbitant amounts.
We’re down to Cameo or Florentine in either green or yellow. Fundamentally we must choose based on taste and appeal. Frankly I like Cameo a more than Florentine. I like the shapes and the design is lovely. Plus with Florentine we have the problem of #1 or #2 shapes which are quite different. I like the cups and bowls better in Florentine #1 and the plates better in #2.
Bottom line? I am leaning towards Cameo in green or yellow or even a mix of both. But you know what? I’d be happy with any of these!