Harvest by Johnson Brothers is a lovely, mellow, old-fashioned brown transferware pattern evocative of harvest moons and orchards bursting with ripe fruit.
I’ve not been a collector of brown transferware until recently, and this pattern was one of the first that I acquired. I was attracted to the detail on the shoulder of the plate, the peachy tones and exquisite rendering of the fruit in the centre.
It’s part of the series of “Windsor Ware” made by Johnson Brothers. According to Replacements, the pattern was produced between 1960 and 1965, just before they gained recognition with the issuance of royal warrants from both from their Majesties Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1970. I haven’t been able to get much intel on the significance of Windsor Ware, but suspect it is not unrelated to the Royal connection that resulted in the warrants being issued. :).
Johnson Brothers are a well-known and well-loved manufacturer, famous historically for developing a “semi-porcelain” whiteware which had the characteristics of fine china, but the durability of ironstone.
They’re probably best known now for all their lovely turkey patterns (Spoiler Alert: including Wild Woodland Turkeys, shown above, which is the subject of an upcoming blog) and Old Britain Castles.
Now owned by Wedgwood, a member of the fourth generation of the Johnson family, Christopher Johnson, is on the board of the main Wedgwood company. Who says kids don’t want to enter their parents’ professions?
On to the table: I styled it with a cream quilted runner I’ve had forever, and new green chambray napkins from Pier 1. The cutlery you’ve seen a million times if you’re a reader of this blog; it’s part of a canteen set of vintage bakelite handled silverware that I bought many years ago.
The glasses are June Pink by Fostoria, an “elegant glass of the Depression Era”. Shown here are the water glasses (used for wine) and the iced tea glass (used for water).
The Malta lanterns are from Pottery Barn, several years ago, though still available.
The wheelbarrow open salts are also from Pottery Barn, no longer available.
-
- Centrepiece made with oak leaves, beach plums and some tawny coloured roses
In honour of the pattern name, I gathered some cherries and plums together on small leaf shaped dishes, and picked up the colours of the fruits in a centrepiece of oak leaves, beach “plums” (large rose hips, really) and apricot roses from Trader Joe’s.
Thanks for joining me on the Johnson Brothers’ mini-tour!
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Lovely table, somehow strikes me as very serene. I wouldn’t have thought to use pale pink glassware, but I think it was a fabulous choice.
Thanks Sandra! I will take any excuse to use pale pink glassware :).
I love the Harvest, Johnson Brothers dishware. A lovely table setting.
Thanks, Thelma. It just “spoke” to me. I love that creamy, apricot colour in the fruits and it seemed to go so well with the brown transferware pattern on the edge of the plate. Thanks for visiting!
Your pink depression – era glassware looks fantastic with this dishware. This is a beautiful and creative table.
Thanks, Michael. I get a lot more use out of those glasses than I originally imagined I would. They’re surprisingly versatile.
My friend/neighbor years ago inherited a nice set of many pink Depression glasses in various heights. Sadly she never puts them to use. Locked in a cabinet or I’d call it china pris9n. Pity. Your pink touches on this fall tablescape look lovely and surely make dinner drinks extra special for all.
I get a ton of use out of those pink glasses. I thought they’d be too frou-frou when I first acquired them, but they’re amazingly versatile.
Hello – I’m trying to find a home for some Johnson Bros dishes that are a mix of Windsor Fruit & Harvest Fruit, from what I can determine. I see that you posted that you have some of these and I’m wanting to know if you would be interested in the pieces I have, which is a very large collection. If you’re interested, please send me an email and I can provide additional details. Thank you.
Hi Sherry,
Your collection sounds amazing. I have all I need, however. But thanks for letting me know.
Best,
Helen