We are only a few weeks out from hosting season, so now is a great time to look for dishes, cups, cutlery, and other incredible serving pieces at your local thrift store.
I have found some tremendous serving pieces over the years — including some by designers known for their stellar offerings — but I think many of these names fly under the radar. And that includes Dior which, despite being a very well-known fashion brand, would easily be overlooked amongst the vintage ice buckets or serving tongs (because most of us just wouldn’t think to look for “Dior” on a pair of tongs!)
With that in mind, I’ve rounded up more of my fave brands to hunt for — with a special emphasis on the brands known for pieces ripe for entertaining.
xx,
VC
Christian Dior
vintage Dior faux tortoiseshell tray, $468
In the 1970s and ‘80s, Dior made a whole line of tableware: china, crystal, silver plate, Lucite-and-wicker placemats, and ceramic vases with faux-burl and faux-malachite finishes. They still make a lot of this stuff, actually, but the vintage pieces fly under the radar.The Gaudron-Onyx pattern (which debuted in 1991) is a particular favorite.
Dior even did an asparagus line!
10-piece asparagus plate set, $5,036
Where to find it: The china aisle at the thrift store, mixed in with Noritake and Mikasa. The small objects sections (look for tissue box holders, waste baskets, trays, vases, etc.)
Price comps: A 64-piece Ambassadior tableware service sold for $5,500 on 1stDibs, and a signed 1980s Dior ceramic vase sold for $600. Normally, I would recommend buying a full set of china (or, at least, a full set of cups, mugs, plates, etc.) But even if you spot a single Dior plate or Mug or serving dish, it is worth snapping up.
Arthur Court
What to look for: Heavy cast-aluminum serveware shaped like animals, shells, grapes and leaves: elephant platters, rabbit champagne buckets, clam-shell chip-and-dip bowls, fish servers. The company was founded in 1966 and still makes pieces, so check the date cast into the back. Earlier is better, IMO!
Where to find it: The silver aisle or any area loaded with dishware and trays.
Price comps: Most Arthur Court pieces sell for anywhere from $25 to $130, but the really exceptional pieces (the big ice buckets, for instance) are a different story: a 1986 rabbit wine cooler is listed at $399 on Etsy.
Keep reading for five more brands worth hunting for, including the mid-century glassware that would be right at home on Don Draper’s bar cart.
