Glossary of Terms for Tableware and Related Items from DeVine
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Accent Plate
Larger than a standard salad plate, generally 9" in diameter. Used for any suitable purpose such as sandwiches, salads, desserts, or hors d'oeuvres. Generally designed to be more decorative so that it creates contrast on the table with the rest of the placesetting/serving items. Generally sold as individual, open-stock units.
Backstamp
The name stamp or signature of a manufacturer, which usually appears on the underside of the ware. Can be stamped, decaled or incised into the piece.
Body
In whiteware, the structural portion of the ceramic article, or the material or mixture from which it is made.
Bright Gold
Liquid gold paint that, when fired, appears bright and requires no polishing.
Buffet/Service Plate
Individual plate larger than a standard dinner plate (also known as "chop plate"). May be used when serving buffet-style for larger surface and volume, or as a decorative accent under the dinner plate. For proper etiquette, use on the table under the soup and appetizer course, then remove prior to placement of dinner plate.
Ceramic
Pertaining to products manufactured from inorganic, nonmetallic substances, which are subjected to a high temperature during manufacture or use.
Champagne Flute
A champagne flute is tall and thin to preserve the champagne bubbles. Hold the flute by its long stem, not the bowl, to keep the champagne cool.
China
A nonporous type of clayware made of special white clay and fired at exceptionally high temperatures.
Chinastone®
Ivory china with alumina added (sometimes incorrectly referred to as stoneware). Patterns include Poppies on Blue™ and Blue Pinstripe™.
Clay
Raw material formed when rock breaks down either due to the weather or chemical processes.
Coupe Shape
A plate without a shoulder, flat across the diameter, and slightly rolled up at the rim.
Crackle
A look reminiscent of antique china and porcelain in which the surface of the work is crisscrossed with tiny lines, a delicate tracery. This effect is achieved by applying a special glaze designed to "crackle" as it cools.
Crystal Stemware
Footed shapes similar to glass with higher lead content to increase brilliance. Characterized by increased clarity (ability to see through the piece) and a bell-like ring when tapped lightly on the edge. Generally includes the following standard shapes in a suite - wine glass, water goblet, champagne flute, and iced beverage glass.
Decal
A design-bearing sheet applied to ware for transfer of decoration; firing makes decal permanent.
Dishwasher-safe
Items designed to withstand regular cleaning in an electric dishwasher under recommended guidelines (see our Use & Care section)
Double Old Fashion/Double-on-the-Rocks
Barware pieces usually hold from 6 to 12 ounces and are most often used for straight pours or mixed cocktails.
Earthenware
Thick, opaque, porous-bodied dinnerware made from clays that cannot sustain as high a temperature as fine china. Earthenware is generally heavier, and its porous body cannot withstand temperature extremes such as going directly from the freezer to the oven. May be dishwasher-safe if fully glazed.
Embossed
A decoration in relief or excised on the ware surface.
Enameling
Decorating glazed pottery with metallic oxides ground to a fine powder and fired at low temperatures.
Faceting
Cutting diamond-shaped or other patterns into product's surface.
Finial
An ornamental part of a sculpture, such as the handle on a lid or the screw atop a lampshade.
Firing
Heat-treatment in a kiln for the purpose of developing bond and other necessary physical and chemical properties.
Flatware
Although commonly refers to table utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons, the term originally was used to describe any flat or near-flat piece of dinnerware, such as a plate or platter.
Foot
The base of a piece of ware, the area upon which it rests.
Frosted
Also known as a satin finish, this refers to a textured, matte surface applied to crystal, glass or flatware to create contrast to the brightness of the overall body. This technique may be used to create specific design motifs or to encompass the entire body of the product.
Gilded
Covered with a thin layer of precious metal, such as gold, silver or platinum.
Glass
Glaze
A ceramic coating matured to the glassy state on a formed ceramic article.
Goblet
A goblet is slightly larger than a wine glass. When serving wine, be sure not to overfill the glass. The air above the wine's surface is where the bouquet, or aroma, will accumulate and concentrate.
Gray Cutting
Glass decoration applied by abrasive wheel that leaves it gray and opaque.
Hallmark
A mark indicating quality or excellence; in jewelry, a mark used to stamp gold and silver articles that meet established standards.
Hammered Finish
Refers to an uneven finish, typically on a metal such as silver.
Highball Glass
Typically holds 12 ounces and is used for all standard mixers, such as gin & tonic
Hollowware
Any clayware, glass or metal pieces such as cups, pitchers, bowls - generally serving items - as opposed to flatware.
Iced Beverage
An iced beverage glass is designed to hold just that - your favorite beverage on ice. These glasses are generally larger in size, to accommodate both ice cubes and the beverage.
Jewelling
The application of porcelain enamel, usually of a contrasting color, to the edge or rim of a china piece (also known as beading)
Kiln
Oven used to fire or bake ceramics.
Limited Edition
A collectible whose production is limited by number or by a crafting deadline.
Limoges
Fine porcelain dinnerware produced in the province of Limoges, France. Only dinnerware produced in this region can be termed Limoges porcelain.
Luster
An iridescent decorative surface appearance.
Matte Finish
Flat glaze finish without gloss.
Opacity
The property of reflecting light diffusely and nonselectively.
Open Stock
The ability to purchase items as individual units rather than in a placesetting - for instance, one teacup vs. a teacup and saucer or 4-piece placesetting. Many items sold in "placesettings" are also sold open stock.
Overglaze
Design applied after firing and glazing resulting in more vivid colors than those beneath the glaze.
Patina
A soft luster on silver, caused by tiny scratches that come with frequent use.
Placesetting
Any formal configuration of merchandise sold as a package to serve one person - generally refers to dinnerware or flatware.
5-piece Placesetting - in dinnerware, generally refers to dinner plate, salad plate, bread & butter plate, teacup, and saucer. In flatware, generally refers to dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, and teaspoon. A five-piece placesetting is an individual service for one person.
Polished Cutting
Design technique cutting glass with an abrasive wheel, then polishing with acid or a buffing wheel.
Porcelain
A hard, translucent (see Translucency) clayware body that differs slightly from china in ingredients and manufacturing processes. The generally accepted definition of porcelain is that of a white, vitrified, translucent ceramic, fired to a temperature of at least 1280 centigrades. The body of most porcelain is made from a mixture of white clay (kaolin) and porcelain stone (dunzi, a feldspathic rock); the latter being ground to powder and mixed with the clay. The body and glaze are usually fired together in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 1200 and 1300 centigrades in a single firing, forming an integrated body/glaze layer.
Relief
The projection of figures or forms from a flat background (seebas relief)
Remarque
An artist's mark, generally on hand-painted items, featuring a specially created icon and the artist's initials (note: pronounced like "remark")
Sand Blasting or Sand Etching
Forcing sand or grit through high pressure to etch a pattern, usually onto crystal or glass.
Satin Finish
On silver, a subtle surface luster produced by a revolving wire wheel.
Satin
Also known as a frosted finish, this refers to a textured, matte surface applied to crystal, glass or flatware to create contrast to the brightness of the overall body. This technique may be used to create specific design motifs or to encompass the entire body of the product.
Serveware
Items used for serving food at the table vs. placesetting pieces from which individuals eat. Also known as Serving Accessories. Most common pieces include vegetable bowls, platters, gravy boats, sugar and creamer sets, and coffeepots or teapots. Additional items can include salt & pepper shakers, two-tiered servers, cake plates, butter dishes, divided servers, and trays.
Sham Bottom
On a tumbler, a heavy solid base designed to add weight and highlight glass clarity or color.
Shoulder
Raised rim of a plate.
Silica
An abundant mineral, and a main component of dinnerware and glazes.
Silverplate
A base metal of nickel, silver or brass coated with a layer of silver by electroplating; has a tendency to tarnish with regular use in an electric dishwasher.
Slip
Clay and water mixture used to produce china or porcelain body and decoration.
Stainless Steel
Silver flatware that contains a mixture of chromium and nickel to silver.
18/10 Stainless - stainless flatware that includes at least 18% chromium and 10% nickel for exceptional durability, shine, and stain resistance; generally considered the "best" quality stainless, easy to care for and dishwasher-safe.
Sterling
Fine silver composed of at least 925 parts real silver to 75 parts copper (for strength and durability). All silver must be marked .925 to be sold as sterling. Attributes include beautiful shine and classic design. Is dishwasher-safe if not mixed with other metals.
Stoneware
A hard ware made of a single light clay and fired at a high temperature. It is non-porous, microwavable, dishwasher-safe, and very durable but does not have the translucency of china. Also referred to as earthenware.
Suite
A placesetting of crystal; generally includes a wine glass, water goblet, champagne flute, and iced beverage.
Tableware
All utensils and decorative articles used on the table for meal service.
Translucency
The quality by which light passes through an object. In quality fine china, your hand will be visible through the back of the plate when held up to a bright light. Translucency is a sign of vitrification (seeVitreous) and, consequently, signifies a high-quality piece of china with strength and durability.
Tumbler
Drinkware without a stem or foot.
Underglaze
Decoration applied directly to the bisque and then covered with a protective glaze coating making it resistant to wear.
Verdigris
A green crust or patina of copper sulfate or copper chloride formed on copper, brass, and bronze because of exposure to air or sea water over a long period.
Vermeil
Silver that has been gilded.
Vitreous
Literally, like glass, meaning the ceramic body is nonporous (won't absorb water). All fine china is vitrified because its ingredients include silica, which literally turns to glass when fired at high temperatures, giving it strength. Most stoneware, Chinastone®, porcelain, and bone china is vitrified. Vitrified products are usually dishwasher- and microwave-safe, though it also depends on the decoration. Vitrified china is also much more chip-resistant and stronger.
Whiteware
Ware having a white or ivory body when fired, prior to being decorated.
Wine Glass
Some people prefer wine glasses for each varietal; others use separate patterns for red and white wine. Wine Glasses are more appropriate for white wine, and our balloon wine glasses or large wine/water goblets are more appropriate for red.