Some dinnerware sets are beautiful to behold. Others are made to be truly used.
Cornishware dinnerware by T.G. Green is the rare kind that effortlessly combines both. With its recognizable stripes, soft sheen, and sturdy shapes, it feels familiar as if it has always been in your kitchen.
In this blog, we'll take you through the Cornishware collection and discover what makes the colors Blue, Adder Green, Willow Green, and Red so special. Including the craftsmanship behind each plate.
The origins of Cornishware
The company T.G. Green & Co was founded in 1864 by Thomas Goodwin Green in Church Gresley, Derbyshire. In its first decades, the factory primarily produced functional household ceramics, such as bowls, pots, and cooking utensils.
The well-known Cornishware design with blue and white stripes originated in the 1920s, a period when kitchens became increasingly visible and there was a need for dinnerware that was both practical and decorative. This striped dinnerware later became known as Cornishblue, a reference to the origin of the clay from Cornwall and the association with coastal colors.
Hand-painted decoration
Cornishware explicitly states that the decoration of the dinnerware is applied by hand. The characteristic stripes are not machine-printed but added manually during the decoration process. This can result in small variations between individual items.
This is a conscious part of the production process and contributes to the artisanal character of the dinnerware. Cornishware presents this variation not as an imperfection but as a result of craftsmanship.
Production in England
Cornishware dinnerware is produced in England, across multiple locations. The production process consists of several steps, including casting the shapes, drying, firing, decorating, and glazing.
- The shaping and casting of the ceramics take place in Stoke-on-Trent, a region historically known as the center of the British ceramic industry.
- The decoration, hand-painting, and finishing take place at the Cornishware pottery in the West Country.
For a single item, multiple manual operations are required, and dozens of people are involved before a product is ready.
The colors of Cornishware
Cornish Blue
Blue is the original and most recognizable color of Cornishware. The combination of blue and white forms the basis of the brand and has been produced since its introduction in the 1920s.
Adder Green
Adder Green is a deeper shade of green that was later added to the assortment. This color retains the classic stripe pattern but gives the dinnerware a different look.
Willow Green
Willow Green is a lighter, softer shade of green. This color is often chosen by people looking for a calmer color palette in the kitchen or on the table.
Cornishware Red
Red is a warmer color variant within the Cornishware assortment. Like the other colors, this version also follows the same production and decoration process.
Use and durability
Cornishware was developed as functional dinnerware, intended for regular use. The design is recognizable but deliberately remains simple and practical. The dinnerware is produced with daily use in mind, not solely as a decorative object.
Why choose Cornishware?
- Design with a documented history since the 1920s
- Hand-applied decoration
- Produced in England according to the brand itself
- Designed for practical use in the home
- Suitable for dishwasher, microwave, and oven
Cornishware explicitly positions itself as dinnerware that is meant to be used, not just kept.
(https://www.cornishware.co.uk/history-of-cornishware)
