Antiques and Collectibles What You Need To Know: Discovering Autumn Leaf China and Cookwear

When purchasing cook wear and dinnerwear today the first feature, after determining a suitable pattern, is to turn a piece over to identify whether it meets the criteria of modern cooking. That is it must be dishwasher safe, ovenproof, and able to be used in the microwave. Even the prettiest of patterns and color of cookwear will be passed up if the pieces can not stand up to the demands of the modern kitchen.

I sometimes stray from this approach to buying kitchen ware.

Teapot "Autumn Leaf" 1995

I learned of Autumn Leaf pattern manufactured by the Jewel Tea Company when I was first starting to collect porcelain. It was the Fall season and I saw some pieces that would complement my white luncheon set. The pieces found were decorated with brown green and gold leaves against an ivory background. Perfect for an autumn get together with family and friends.

Sugar & Creamer "Autumn Leaf 1995

Cookie Jar "Autumn Leaf" 1939

Beginnings of a Fall Tradition

The Autumn Leaf pattern was initially offered as a premium from a grocery chain. The pattern was manufactured by the Hall China Company in the 1930s for the Jewel Tea Company located in Illinois.

The first pieces of Autumn Leaf were manufactured in 1927 and included a salad bowl and plate.

In 1933 a 3-piece mixing bowl set was added to the collection.

The cookie jar, shown above, has tootsie roll handles and is often referred to as the tootsie roll cookie jar. It was the first cookie jar in the Autumn Leaf pattern and was introduced during the Christmas season in 1936. The retail price was $1.50

Autumn Leaf continued to be produced on a regular basis by the Jewel Tea Company until the late 1970s.

Other companies have produced pieces using the Autumn Leaf pattern including the Crooksville China Company, Harker Pottery, American Limoges, Paden City Potter and Vernon of California.

Jewel Tea Company and Hall Company Backstamps

A sampling of backstamps