Italian Holiday by Mikasa
Italian Countryside by Mikasa Crystal
Italian Countryside Stainless by Mikasa

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Mikasa Italian Holiday features a poinsettia, a spray of mistletoe tied with festive ribbon, and a brass horn decorated with holly. This lovely whiteware is completed with an embossed fluted rim accented with scroll designs and green trim. The Italian Holiday pattern beautifully represents the craftsmanship and production excellence associated with the Mikasa company. In the early 1930s, Mikasa was established as an international trading company based in Secaucus, New Jersey. The company, while wholly American, looked to Japan for inspiration. Named in honor of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, Mikasa soon established itself as one of the most recognized Japanese brand names in the West.

Complementing the elegant Italian Holiday design is the provincial elegance of Mikasa Italian Countryside crystal.  This stunning blown glass design features an embossed, ribbed design on a convex bowl that curves in at the top, a multisided stem, and a round base. One can very easily picture a collection of these pieces being displayed in the tableware cabinet of an Italian farmhouse! Importing merchandise produced by a network of over 150 manufacturers worldwide, Mikasa never attempted to make any of the dinnerware it sold. Rather, the Mikasa branded items were imported from Japan, Ireland, England, France, and Germany. Business exploded in the 1950s, and tableware became the staple business for Mikasa. Customer requests were pouring in from all parts of the country, and department stores including Bloomingdale's and Macy's could not keep enough stock to meet demand. Consumers found Mikasa ceramics to be very strong, versatile, and stylish.

Italian Countryside flatware by Mikasa is 18/8 stainless flatware (18/8 represents the ratio of chromium and nickel used in the stainless steel, which adds luster and durability to the pieces) featuring a glossy finish, and a ribbed design that perfectly complements the Mikasa Italian Holiday and Italian Countryside patterns. By the beginning of the 1960's, Mikasa had established a reputation as "the pioneer of American casual." They refined their product range by introducing new patterns in unique groups known as "lines." For example, the ‘Studio Nova’ line was produced for the "young-at-heart" casual diners who would likely eat their meals in the kitchen. The ‘Home Beautiful’ line appealed to those who wanted durability and affordability.  ‘Christopher Stuart’ reflected the taste of the consumer who "wants a broad selection of styles." Today, Mikasa continues to leverage the momentum it has built over the decades since its inception. The exquisite Mikasa patterns showcased here are sure to add a touch of excitement to any holiday table!

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