China Pattern Piece Types

Dinner plates are a component of the typical 5-piece place setting. Used for serving, entrées, dinner plates are generally 9" to 11” in diameter and can feature either a rim or coupe (no rim) shape.

Square Dinner plates are a component of the typical 5-piece place setting and used for serving entrées. Square dinner plates are a more modern version of the traditional round dinner plate, and offer a versatile way to add extra style to place settings.

Salad plates are also a component of the typical 5-piece place setting. They resemble dinner plates and range in size from 6" to 8.” These plates can be used for salads or desserts.

Square Salad plates are also a component of the typical 5-piece place setting. They resemble dinner plates and can be used for salads or desserts. Square salad plates offer the added bonus of being easy to hold during parties, backyard barbecues, or any other “non-table” gathering.

Luncheon plates are typically 8" to 9” in diameter and are perfect for serving breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts.

Bread & butter plates are the final component of a 5-piece place setting. These plates resemble salad plates and are used for serving bread, butter pats, and servings of whipped butter. They may also be used for desserts. Bread and butter plates are generally 5" to 7” in diameter.

Dessert/pie plates are often similar in size to salad plates and usually feature more decoration than a dinner plate. Their size makes them a great addition for breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, snacks, and of course, desserts.

Fruit/dessert bowls are generally 4" to 6” in diameter and can be used to serve individual portions of fruit, nuts, and ice cream.

Coupe cereal bowls are great for everyday use. They can be used to serve a variety of cereals, soups, salads, and desserts. These bowls do not feature a pronounced rim.

Rimmed cereal bowls come in a variety of sizes and are great for serving cereal, soups, and dishes of ice cream. Rimmed cereal bowls feature a pronounced rim.

Coupe soup bowls are like rimmed soup bowls and come in a variety of sizes. These pieces are great for serving soups, salads, cereal, and pastas. Like coupe shaped plates and platters, coupe soup bowls do not feature a pronounced rim.

Rimmed soup bowls are used for serving soups, salads, and pastas. These bowls range in size from 7" to 10.” Many manufacturers substitute the rimmed soup bowl for the bread and butter plate as part of the typical 5-piece place setting.

Lugged soup bowls are a unique addition to any table. These small soup bowls can be used to serve a variety of hot and cold dishes and feature small tab-like handles.

Cream soup & saucer sets are an entertainer’s delight. Used for serving a variety of soups, these bowls feature two handles and a saucer. They are generally larger than bouillon soup and saucer sets. Used in conjunction with the typical 5-piece place setting, these bowls add an air of sophisticated elegance to any table.

Bouillon soup & saucer sets are generally smaller than cream soup and saucer sets. These bowls are perfect for serving soups that are made from thin broths.

Individual pasta bowls are smaller pasta bowls used by each person at the table for pasta and noodle dishes. (The larger pasta bowl is typically used as serving piece.)

A ramekin is a small heat-resistant vessel used to prepare and serve individual portions of baked or heated dishes like crème brûlée, soufflé, French onion soup, mac & cheese, and plenty more. Ramekins are also the perfect size to hold condiments and garnishes.

Mugs are perfect for an early morning cup of coffee or a nighttime cup of tea. Also, mugs are an informal alternative to the traditional cup and saucer set.

Flat cup & saucer sets are part of the typical 5-piece place setting. They also are used for serving tea or coffee. The height and the style of the cup may vary greatly between manufacturers. The flat cup design has a flat base, without a pedestal.

Footed cup & saucer sets are part of the typical 5-piece place setting. They are used for serving tea or coffee. The height and the style of the cup may vary greatly between manufacturers. The footed cup design has a small pedestal protruding from the bottom of the cup, this pedestal usually fits into an indentation in the saucer.