Sandwich Trays are a New Invention for an Old Favorite.
Yes, our sandwich trays are not historic, but the story of the Sandwich is. The sandwich has come a long way from a hunk of beef and cheese between bread.
“The sandwich, as we know it, was popularized in England in 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it, and most food historians agree, that Montagu had a substantial gambling problem that led him to spend hours on end at the card table. During a particularly long binge, he asked the house cook to bring him something he could eat without getting up from his seat, and the sandwich was born. Montagu enjoyed his meat and bread so much that he ate it constantly, and as the concoction grew popular in London society circles it also took on the Earl’s name,” states Stephanie Butler for the History Channel.
Looking at this hoagie in the picture, we agree that sandwiches have taken on new life and deserve to be showcased on this tray. But don't forget the empanada, the croissant, pork buns, Stromboli, quesadilla, and the mother of sandwiches, the PB & J. on White (Peanut Butter and Jelly?). But, just to be fair, we must consider the whole range of sweets that could go on this tray and call it a Dessert Tray. Petit fours (what's that?), brownies, mille feuilles, tartlets, cookies, cupcakes, baklava, shortbread…. Ooh, now we are getting really hungry. Time to pause for a little snack. Would you like to have something named for you? We hope it is something you would be glad to be known for.
The Evolution of a Design.
Speaking of new life, Mottahedeh’s Lace pattern is ever-expanding and popular because it is a deceptively simple design that is actually quite complex. It all started when Imperial Blue, a reproduction dinner pattern, was introduced in the early 1990’s. While Lace reads as a solid, it is really a series of lines- a lattice pattern-overlaid on the white of the porcelain. The printed color is very deep, but the white background of the plate make it appear optically 50% lighter. The effect is soft.
The lacey all-over band in the middle of the plate was pulled out, simplified, and arranged as the border of our first new introduction, the Lace Service Plates. These were offered in Red, Blue and Green, and we added the five piece place setting in Cobalt. Immediately, the sales of Imperial Blue shot up. People responded well to combining designs with more contemporary styling.
Blue Lace became a mix and match alternative for effusive Imperial Blue,
as well as a myriad of other well-loved designs.
From there we introduced service plates in more colors with the same linework design. The Line extension resulted in ten different colorways and endless ways of combining patterns and color on the table.
Our Mottahedeh fans were finding so many inventive ways of using these colors in combination with patterns from Mottahedeh, as well as other porcelain companies, that we decided to make the five piece place settings in a variety of colors beyond cobalt blue.
Cornflower Lace
Pink Lace
The perfect frame for your food. Butterfly Lace
But who can resist the vibrant colors and delicate gold painting of this tray? We saved the best for last.
