Vintage China

Do Franciscan Potteries vintage dishes have unsafe levels of lead? Does Mexican pottery that is marked lead-free have unsafe levels of lead? (video)

June 19, 2018April 23, 2020

Here are the blog posts related to the video below: Franciscan Ivy. Franciscan Desert Rose. Mexican “Lead-Free” Pottery. Comments to the “viewers” in this are from the original posting of the video as a Facebook Live video! Video is about 6 minutes long, and also shows you how to stretch one LeadCheck swab out to…

Franciscan Desert Rose Earthenware China — c. 1941, Made in USA: 122,200 ppm Lead! (90 ppm is unsafe in kids’ items)

June 14, 2018September 24, 2023

39 Comments

For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Franciscan Ware Potteries (c. 1948) Franciscan Ivy Pattern Serving Tray: 304,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe]

June 14, 2018September 1, 2019

4 Comments

This is a Franciscan Potteries vintage “Ivy” pattern serving tray that I got at the Good Will Bins a while back (to add to my “Museum of Lead” collection!) The interesting thing about glazes (especially on pieces that are handmade or hand-painted) is that the levels of lead can vary significantly across the surface of…

Vintage Spode Christmas Tree Plate, Made In England: 71,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

June 14, 2018November 23, 2023

11 Comments

For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method…

“Old Town Blue” Pattern Vintage Pyrex Tea Cup, c.1972 – 1982: 17,700 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

April 19, 2018September 2, 2019

9 Comments

Vintage Pyrex mugs/ tea cups in the “Old Town Blue” pattern: The dark blue paint on these mugs tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument): Lead (Pb): 17,700 +/- 500 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 154 +/- 12 ppm Arsenic (As): ND Mercury (Hg): ND…

Spode Vintage “Fairy Dell” English China: 36,400 ppm Lead + Arsenic! 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe in kids’ items.

March 21, 2018November 21, 2023

Copeland Spode Vintage “Fairy Dell” China, Made in England. This dish the following test results when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): 36,400 +/- 1,400 ppm Arsenic (As): 2,332 +/- 288 ppm Cadmium (Cd): “ND” (non-detect)/ Negative Mercury (Hg): “ND” (non-detect)/ Negative To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here. For context: The amount of…

Vintage Hand Painted Nippon China: 3,115 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead is considered unsafe in items used by kids.

March 3, 2018September 1, 2019

Vintage China, “Hand Painted” – Nippon. Positive for Lead at 3,115 +/- 121ppm. This dish was “Non-Detect” (negative) for mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Read more about the concern for lead in dishware here. Want to see a pretty lead-free dish set on Amazon? Click this link! * Thank you for reading and for…

Vintage Rosina China: 68,500 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm Lead and up is considered unsafe in items newly manufactured for use by kids.

March 3, 2018May 3, 2021

Rosina Fine Bone China, Made in England. Positive for Lead at 68,500 +/- 1,800 ppm. This dish was “Non-Detect” (negative) for mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Read more about the concern for lead in dishware here. Want to see a pretty lead-free dish set on Amazon? Click this link! * [*It’s an Amazon affiliate…

Vintage China “1424”; 2,989 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is considered unsafe in items used by children.

February 25, 2018September 1, 2019

Vintage China, #1424 (no other information about maker). Tested with an XRF instrument. Positive for lead at 2,989 +/- 121 ppm. For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher. Vintage dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectible with…

#Leaded: Athol Fine Bone China, England

February 25, 2018February 25, 2018

Athol Fine Bone China. Made in England. Tested with an XRF instrument. Positive for lead at 61,400 +/- 1,500 ppm lead. For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher. Vintage dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectible with…

#Leaded: Royal Sutherland Fine Bone China

February 25, 2018February 25, 2018

Tested postive for lead with an XRF instrument. 52,100 +/- 1,300 ppm lead (Pb). For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher. Vintage dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectible with an XRF instrument. This dish was also…

Vintage Miniature Tea Set (Made in Taiwan): 14,200 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) & Cadmiu (which causes cancer!)

December 10, 2017May 17, 2024

Miniature Vintage Ceramic Tea Set. Made in Taiwan. Platter: 66 +/- 20 ppm Lead (Pb). Coffee Pot: 777 +/- 53 ppm Lead (Pb) & 18 +/- 8 ppm Cadmium (Cd). Tiny Creamer: 14,200 +/- 500 ppm Lead (Pb) & 42 +/- 11 ppm Cadmium (Cd). Tiny Teacup: 3,280 +/- 124 ppm Lead (Pb). Tested…

Silver Bordered Vintage China Mug / Tea Cup: 104,700 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

December 3, 2017March 18, 2019

Mug with “silver” border (where your lips would go!) It turns out the “silver” is achieved by using Leaded glaze! Inside of cup is 845 ppm lead, “silver” border is 104,700 ppm Lead. Tested with an XRF instrument in 2014. I apologize that I did not capture information about the maker or pattern on this…

Marine Commissary WW2 Dish: 43,200 ppm Lead

November 23, 2017February 23, 2020

WWII US Marine Commissary Vitrified China dish, by Sterling, East Liverpool, Ohio: 43,200 ppm LEAD. Read more about testing dishes here. To see the #LeadFree dishes I use in my home, click here. For more #SaferChoices for your family, click here. To make a contribution in support of my independent consumer goods testing and lead…

Vintage Sheraton Pattern English Saucer by Johnson Brothers: 77,498 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

November 23, 2017December 1, 2019

1 Comment

Sheraton Pattern, “Made in England” saucer, manufactured by Johnson Brothers. 77,498 ppm Lead (Pb) 12,637 ppm Arsenic (As) For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for use by children is anything that is positive for 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint or coating (or…

Vintage Johnson Bros. Hearts & Flowers Mug: 50,600 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe & illegal for new items made for use by kids.

November 23, 2017May 29, 2021

3 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in England”, Johnson Brothers Mug was positive for 50,600 ppm Lead in the glaze. Originally written November 23, 2017 Updated December 1, 2019 How much Lead is too much Lead? For context, the hazard level for a modern/newly manufactured item intended for use by children is anything…

#Leaded: Memory Lane Plate, c. 1970

November 21, 2017January 27, 2018

3 Comments

Memory Lane plate: 51,200 ppm lead. Vintage – 1970s. Read more about testing dishes here. To see the #LeadFree dishes I use in my home, click here. For more #SaferChoices for your family, click here. To make a contribution in support of my independent consumer goods testing and lead poisoning prevention advocacy work, click here….

Vintage Lenox Charleston Pattern China Teacup: 85,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

April 30, 2017March 18, 2019

12 Comments

Vintage Lenox Charleston Pattern China Teacup: 85,000 ppm Lead. Most people assume that vintage china like this (made by a well known, “reputable” brand name) is safe to eat off of. This is simply not true. Most vintage Lenox china I have tested has been positive for high levels of lead. [Some of the newer Lenox…

Liberty Blue Staffordshire Ironstone Washington At Valley Forge dish: 44,500 ppm Lead. 90 ppm (& up) is unsafe for kids.

February 5, 2017May 4, 2021

1 Comment

Liberty Blue Staffordshire Ironstone Vintage Plate: 44,500 ppm lead. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for use by children is 90 ppm or higher. Vintage china is not regulated for total Lead content (as detectable with an XRF instrument.) For more information about LEAD FREE dish choices,…

Vintage Clarence Bone China Teacup: 56,700 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

January 14, 2017March 18, 2019

1 Comment

Clarence Bone China, Made in England, Teacup: 56,700 ppm Lead. For context, the amount of lead that is considered unsafe in newly manufactured items intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint, coating or glaze. Antiques and vintage items are not regulated and when selling them (in most…

Vintage 1970s Era Cereal Bowl: 134,100 ppm Lead

January 14, 2017November 2, 2018

Please click the link for help making safer choices for your family. Vintage (1970s?) cereal bowl: 134,100 ppm lead (yikes!) when tested with an XRF instrument. For context: when testing is done with an XRF instrument, the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item made today and intended for use…

Vintage Syracuse china “Old Ivory” bowl with gold trim: 31,400 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

January 4, 2017September 1, 2019

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in USA” – Syracuse brand vintage “Old Ivory” pattern china bowl was positive for 31,400 ppm Lead. For safer choices in dishware options, click here. To see more vintage china I have tested, click here. To see more Syracuse brand pieces I have tested, click here. As…

Vintage Syracuse plain white ceramic dish, “Carefree” Serene pattern: 30,600 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

January 4, 2017September 1, 2019

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this simple white Serene pattern Carefree True China (Made in the USA by Syracuse) had the following reading: Lead: 30,600 ppm For context: the amount of Lead that is considered illegal and unsafe in a modern item made today and intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm…

Syracuse China “Old Ivory” “Made In America” Tea Cup: 26,200 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

January 4, 2017September 1, 2019

Antique Syracuse China “Made In America” Old Ivory Teacup; Tested positive for lead (Pb) at 26,200 ppm when tested with an XRF instrument. For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for use by children is 90 ppm lead or higher (in the paint, glaze or coating.)…