Harker Pottery holds a distinction few American manufacturers can claim: founded in 1840 in a log cabin in Liverpool, Ohio, it is the oldest pottery in America.
This platter from Harker's BakeRite line — oven-tested and guaranteed 22-karat gold rim, both stamped on the back — carries the Lovelace pattern: a bright, exuberant arrangement of flowers and fruit spilling from a basket, with pink dominating alongside orange, yellow, green, and blue. The BakeRite line was made at the Chester, West Virginia plant that Harker took over from Edwin M. Knowles in 1931. It's a pattern that earns its place at the table through multiple seasons — harvest, Thanksgiving, spring, summer — and looks equally beautiful on a china hutch or wall display. Minor wear on the gold rim and light crazing are consistent with its age.
A remarkable gift for the American pottery collector, the farmhouse kitchen devotee, or anyone who appreciates history you can serve on.
Maker: Harker Pottery Company, Chester, West Virginia (est. 1840; closed 1972)
Pattern: Lovelace (BakeRite line)
Era: 1935–1950
Materials: Ceramic, oven-tested
Dimensions: 13.5" long × 10.25" wide
Finish: Guaranteed 22-karat gold rim
Condition: Excellent vintage. Minor gold rim wear and light crazing consistent with age. No chips or cracks.
