Vintage JAJ Pyrex Claret Red Hawthorn Side Plates - Set of 4

There is a distinct mid-century efficiency in the way James A. Jobling designed British tableware to survive both the oven and the casual violence of the family sink. This particular set of four side plates, manufactured in Sunderland during the early 1960s, features the stylized Hawthorn berry motif in claret red—a deep, winter-ready hue framed by a remarkably intact gilt edge. While the design team likely intended them for post-war British tea time, the colour palette carries an undeniable festive gravity that makes them rather magnificent for the winter season.

Honest Anatomy

Each plate measures precisely 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) in diameter, making them the correct proportions for a substantial mince pie or a piece of Christmas cake. Structurally, they are made from tempered borosilicate glass and remain completely free from chips, cracks, or fleabites. Because they were cared for by someone who understood that the post-1970s invention of the domestic dishwasher is the natural enemy of vintage gold leaf, the gilt trim is exceptionally bright. Expect the usual microscopic surface marks from sixty years of occasional stack wear, but nothing that diminishes their glossy, clean presence on a table.

Specifications & Keywords

• Brand: JAJ Pyrex (Made in England)
• Pattern: Hawthorn Berry (Claret / Deep Coral)
• Era: Circa 1960–1962
• Quantity: Set of 4 side/tea plates
• Dimensions: 16.5 cm diameter