Review of Syracuse Madam Butterfly Fruit Bowls

Syracuse China was among the last firms producing fine china exclusively in the United States. Madam Butterfly is a delicate and subtle pattern in their Old Ivory series. The pattern features an off-white background that gradually shades into peach, with a long-stemmed, leafed white flower as the primary motif. The pattern features a prominent gold outline around the outside of the pieces.Stamp on the back of the pieces is: "OLD IVORY, Syracuse China" inside a scroll-banner motif. Below the banner appear the letters and words: "O.P.C.O. Made in America" The pattern was very difficult to create, apparently because of the delicacy of the air-brushed design. As a result, many seconds were produced. The gold trim was left off the seconds, and the stamp on the back of the pieces was generally also omitted. I say generally, because I have seen a few pieces lacking gold trim, but with the stamp on the back. Madam Butterfly is a great American pattern for collectors, but one should avoid the seconds. I have seen many sellers offering seconds with no indication that they are seconds, probably because of ignorance, in some instances possibly with malice aforethought! The seconds are essentially valueless. Be particularly on the alert if your seller is from upstate New York, because most of the seconds were sold to employees and to the general public through the factory store in the Syracuse area. One other point is that, even on first quality Syracuse China, you must not expect the perfectly mirror-like surface of a modern Noritake or Wedgwood piece, and you will regularly find small sand occlusions, etc. These are unfortunately normal in Syracuse China, do not detract from its accepted value, and must be expected and accepted. I have a set for 12 in this pattern along with most of the service pieces, but wish some knowledgable individual would post a list of all the serving pieces in the pattern. I would alsobe curious to know the reason for, or circumstances surrounding, the omission of the stamp on the back of some of the seconds, and its inclusion on others.



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