Dishes with Birds on Them – A Charming Addition to Any Table

Dinnerware and dishes featuring bird motifs have become increasingly popular for adding a touch of whimsical charm to table settings. From classic porcelain plates to modern melamine, dinnerware sets with birds offer a playful yet sophisticated way to dress up your dining table.

The Appeal of Bird Motifs

Birds have long been a favorite subject in art and design. Their bright plumage and lyrical songs represent freedom, joy, and connection with nature. When translated onto dishes and tableware, bird motifs add a lighthearted ambiance perfect for casual meals or special occasions. Dishware with bird designs works well in a variety of decor styles including cottage, farmhouse, vintage, boho, and eclectic decors.

Bird motifs on dinnerware emerged during the highly decorative Victorian era and experienced a revival during the 1970s. Today, both vintage and contemporary dinnerware featuring bird designs is widely available from many brands and artisans.

Types of Bird Dinnerware

Dishes with birds encompass a wide range of styles

• Porcelain plates and sets – Delicate porcelain finished with decals, hand-painting, or transferware techniques to add detailed bird images.

• Stoneware and ceramic – Sturdy stoneware and ceramic pieces that allow for bolder engraved, embossed, or painted bird motifs.

• Melamine and plastic – Durable melamine and plastic dinnerware that incorporates bird silhouettes or artwork, often with a retro flair.

• Handmade pottery – One-of-a-kind, hand-thrown pottery featuring original bird artwork by artisans.

• Glassware – Clear glass drinkware and serveware screenprinted or etched with bird silhouettes or scenes.

No matter your preferred material, there are abundant options for dishes and dinnerware sporting every species of bird imaginable.

Popular Dinnerware Patterns

Some of the most popular and enduring dinnerware patterns featuring birds include:

• Johnson Brothers Bird Life – Introduced in the 1920s, this porcelain dinnerware displays hand-painted birds in blues and yellows with branch detailing. It evokes charming vintage style.

• Portmeirion Botanic Garden Birds – First introduced in 1972, this pattern showcases realistic bird illustrations on earthenware made in England. It’s a collector favorite.

• Fitz and Floyd English Garden Bird – Featuring blue and white transferware-inspired bird motifs, this set mixes vintage and modern aesthetics.

• Lenox Song Bird – Intricate decals of colorful songbirds circling plates and mugs give this porcelain pattern a playful, whimsical look.

• Spode Woodland – Originating in 1828, scenes of pheasants, quail, and exotic bird species make this historic pattern a sophisticated classic.

• Pfaltzgraff Say Hello to Nature – A modern embossed stoneware pattern with a menagerie of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and blooms.

Tips for Styling and Display

There are many creative ways to incorporate dinnerware with birds into your table decor:

• Hang plates on the wall or prop on plate stands for artistic display.

• Mix and match patterns and styles for an eclectic “collected” aesthetic.

• Layer placemats or chargers under plates to add color and texture.

• Add bird figurines, feather accents, cloche jars, and flower vases as coordinating decor.

• Set a more formal table for dinner parties by adding glassware, linens, and candlesticks.

• For outdoors, use melamine to create a casual picnic or patio tablescape.

Caring for Bird Dinnerware

Follow any specific care instructions provided for your dishes. Some general tips:

• Handwash fragile vintage or antique porcelain to prevent damage.

• Use low heat and skip the dishwasher for hand-painted or handmade pottery pieces.

• Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch finishes.

• Don’t shock glassware with sudden temperature changes.

• Allow stoneware and melamine to air dry to prevent water spotting.

With proper care, high-quality dinnerware with bird motifs can serve your table for many years to come! The whimsy and warmth birds bring will lend memorable flair to everyday meals and special gatherings alike.