Mikasa was originally founded as American Commercial Inc. by George Aratani in California in 1948 as a dinnerware importer. Over the next twenty years they supplied dinnerware to Bloomingdales, Macy’s, May Company and other fine retailers. In the 1970's, Mikasa added crystal stemware, stainless flatware, crystal gifts and picture frames, ceramic vases, table linens and decorative accessories. Now part of the Lifetime Brands corporate family, Mikasa's distribution centers are located in Robbinsville, NJ and Fontana CA.

Lifetime Brands includes other household names such as Farberware, International Silver, KitchenAid, Pfaltzgraff, Towle and Wallace.

The pattern:




MIKASA White Silk, catalog number A7050, is bone china in all white with a scalloped edge and an embossed floral pattern on the rim that is barely visible from any distance. This is a formal setting at its finest. The pattern is striking with any tablecloth color, pattern or decorations in any season of the year. The white is brilliant without looking like appliance enamel. It is classic, traditional and contemporary all at once transcending all age groups. China "snobs" will have a tough time challenging the appropriateness in any setting. The pattern was discontinued in 1997.


The pieces:

        Dinner plate     10 1/2"
        Salad plate     7 3/4"
        Bread plate     6 3/4"
        Soup bowl     7 3/4"
        Fruit bowl     5 7/8"
        Saucer     6 1/4"
        Cup     2 7/8"h   3 1/2"w


        Round vegetable bowl     9"
        Oval vegetable bowl     10 3/8"
        Covered casserole     8 1/2"
        Oval platters     12" and 15"
        Butter platter     9 1/2"
        Gravy with detached underplate
        Salt & pepper


        Tea pot     5 1/4"
        Coffee pot     7 5/8"
        Cream     3 1/2"  8oz
        Sugar     3 1/4"
        Cake plate set     11 1/2"


Like all fine china, this should never be washed in an automatic dishwasher. The soap used in dishwashers is much harsher and coupled with the very high operating temperature in a dishwasher, microscopic fissures and scratches could expand into visible cracks.

When the pattern was first released on the West Coast in 1980, it wasn't very popular. Large big-box retailers like May Company priced complete settings as low as $15 for five pieces. Hard to believe, but we bought our initial service for 12 at that price. We have since added another 12 for a total of 24 settings. Since then the popularity has caught on and the price on the secondary market has risen to show the high demand.

This pattern is not offered for sale very much when compared to other Mikasa patterns. The sellers seem to be primarily dealers rather than individual owners who have grown tired of the pattern. There are usually more items for sale in the Stores section than in the regular auction section. All pieces do appear over time so the buyer has to be patient to complete a set or add additional items.

Of all of the china patterns we have, this is the easiest to make into a themed table setting. Red, blue or green serving pieces (or even a mix) create a dramatic look. Stripes? Checks? Italian florals? They all work. And, the contrasting serving pieces don't have to be Mikasa. Add color/pattern matching napkins and your table pops!

Drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan