I found some really neat vintage plates with a red trim and some flowers. I knew they looked kind of old but they were perfect! Until of course I got them home and washed them. After washing them (by hand of course) they started to stink really bad. The smell was so bad I had to put them out of the house. After doing some research on them I found that the company went out of business near the end of 1940 which is why I can't find any other examples of the plates that I do have.
I'm hoping to get to an antiques dealer today but it all depends on if they are open or not.
My questions are: Why do they smell so bad? Is it lead causing the smell? Do all pre 1940's "pottery"/"china" smell? Is it safe to eat off of it? If they aren't safe to eat off of should I toss them despite their beauty, sell them or is there a way to repurpose?
Thanks in advance!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
If they aren't safe for eating off, how about something like this[url]http://annefannie.blogspot.com/2009/02/show-and-tell-friday-homemade-stepping.html
Hi ! I look for old plates all of the time for my cottage garden. I have some beautiful ones that are blue & white and I lined a path to my old smokehouse with them. I have fieldstone on both sides of my flower bed and they are behind the fielstone and I usually put white impatients in front on them. I know some of old fiesta dishes that is red is not safe to eat on as I was told bt another antique dealer. I'll ask around to some of my antique dealer friends to see if I can get a anwser for you. Alanna
I've bought old plates at garage sales from households where heavy smokers lived, and I was surprised to find that the cigarette smell did not wash off--these were plates with crazing, so the finish had openings to let odor sink into the pottery itself. But I've never had plates start smelling bad only AFTER washing. Sorry, I've got no answers. But now I'm planning to check out google myself.
Alanna, that's a very clever idea. I'd love to see pics if you've got any.
Amie- Sorry I don't have any pictures of my flowers in the garden. I usually bring them in for the winter. I love to grow white phlox- "David" in the background. the smell is so wonderful and it doesn't mold like other phlox. And it looks so pretty with the white phlox in the very front! I used to have alot of tea roses and in the background I had old rose plates leaning against the old wood potting shed! Looked great! Happy Gardening ! Alanna from Pa.
That is a great idea to use them as decor in the garden! I still haven't had any luck finding out why they stink so bad, its a bad chemical type smell, not musty or smokey... It's so strange and so disappointing! I will have to post back if I find anything out. Google wasn't much help either because it's not a musty or smokey smell. Thanks for the idea if I can't use the dishes to eat off of I can still use them in the garden! :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
Vintage Plates
Posted - Apr 12 2012 : 07:14:20 AM
