Shenango China Coffee Cup

Shenango Restaurant Cup . Marked: Shenango China-New Castle, PA. Size: 3 5/8 inches in diameter x 2 inches high. No chips or cracks, very good condition.  See photos.

Shenango China was one of the leading American dinnerware manufacturers from the 1920’s until the late 1980’s. The company, headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania, absorbed many of its competitors. Shenango dinnerware is easily identified using the backstamp (corporate identification placed on the back or underneath part of the ceramic dish) featuring Native Americans involved in various forms of pottery production.

Slow Beginnings

Shenango opened in 1909 but struggled for financial stability for at least a decade. The company purchased nearby New Castle Pottery and then relocated to its plant and headquarters. The company purchased Wallace China in 1959 and Mayer China Company in 1964.

Commissioned Ware

Shenango manufactured “American Haviland” for the French company Theodore Haviland from 1936 through 1958. A German company commissioned Shenango to make china to sell in the United States under the “Castleton China” brand.

Famous Commissions

Shenango produced dishes for presidents and serving dishes for the White House, including a commemorative plate for Dwight D. Eisenhower and dinnerware for Lyndon B. Johnson.

Incaware

One of Shenango’s main product lines was Incaware, restaurant china with a light buff-colored background and various designs added for decoration.

Production Codes

The numbers listed near the backstamp on Shenango China products are date codes indicating the month and year of production. The link below provides a chart to assist in reading the codes.

Company Sold

Shenango was sold in 1968 to Interpace Corporation, and then resold again to the Anchor Hocking Corporation in 1979. All Shenango production stopped in 1991, as the company couldn’t rise above increased labor costs and the popularity of inexpensive imported china.

Shenango China was one of the leading American dinnerware manufacturers from the 1920’s until the late 1980’s. The company, headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania, absorbed many of its competitors. Shenango dinnerware is easily identified using the backstamp (corporate identification placed on the back or underneath part of the ceramic dish) featuring Native Americans involved in various forms of pottery production.