SEYEI's pattern number 2129 is described as having a white center section, a thin platinum band, a wide gray band and lastly a thin platinum circumference band. In the center is a delicate, fully-opened pink rose surrounded by clusters of platinum leaves. Spaced evenly in the outer gray band are groups of two to three platinum leaves. There are three groups of leaves on the saucer to six on the dinner plate.
                



The individual traditional table pieces are:

                Dinner plate                          10 1/2"
                Salad plate                            7 1/2"
                Bread plate                            6 1/4"
                Saucer                                  5 3/4"
                Cup                                       4" x 4 3/4"
                Soup bowl                              7 1/2"
                Fruit compote                         5 1/2"

The service pieces are:

                Platter, large                        16" x 11"            (all platters have the above oval shape)
                Platter, medium                   14 1/4" x 9 3/4"
                Platter, small                       12" x 8 1/2"
                Platter, butter                        8 1/4" x 5 1/2"

                Gravy boat                            8 1/4" x 5 1/2"   (with attached oval underplate)

                Vegetable bowl, oval             11" x 8"
                Vegetable bowl, round           9 1/2"
                Casserole, covered                8 1/2"      (round with handles) 

                Coffee pot                            7 1/4"
                Tea pot                                6 3/4"
                Cream                                  3 1/2" x 5 1/2"
                Sugar                                   4 3/4" x 6 1/2"

                Buffet plate, incl cup            10 1/4" x 7"   (irregular oval)


I have seen some references to the pattern being discontinued in 1959 but none referring to the initiation.

After the end of the Korean War, my father was transferred to Iwakune, Japan before returning to the US. He purchased a service for 10 of this pattern in the base Post Exchange (PX).  The USMC allowed purchases to be shipped stateside with deploying Marines at no additional cost. This became the family china set. When the set became mine, I set out to find replacements for the lost and broken pieces that occurred during 20 years of special occasion and holiday usage. I found nothing, zero, zip, nada for decades

It wasn't until ebay came along that I even saw the pattern again. Since that time I have been able to restock my set. As my five daughters grew up using the china, each of them wanted it for themselves. We had the choice of 1) giving the entire set to one child, 2) giving each child two place settings, or, 3) go out and find enough pieces to make complete sets for all. Not wanting to see blood on the carpet, I selected Option Three.

I believe that I have bought more Bella Maria pieces than anyone else on ebay. We now have service for 56 comprising five sets of service for eight plus a service for 16 at home for when everyone comes here. I continue to buy extra pieces just in case. I fondly recall my mother saying there's no such thing as too many serving pieces.

All sellers were asked where they obtained their sets. Virtually all of them who knew the origin of the set in their family told the same story. Their father, grandfather or uncle bought it in a PX in Japan and brought it home. There have been many secondary owners who said they bought their pieces from senior citizens who would have been in their prime in the early to mid 1950s. One owner thought her grandfather's set may have come from a military base in Spain.

If someone is aware of any chain store where this was available in the US prior to 1955 and can provide details, I would be very happy to add that information. Until that time, I believe that this may have been a pattern that was made for the US market but was only available overseas.

My recommendations: Be patient to complete your set. Every piece comes up for sale over time. Do Not Wash In The Dishwasher! Dishwasher detergent is much harsher than liquid dishwashing soaps and the very high temperature may cause problems. Make sure your children see your china on the table. That will give it more value to them as they grow up. Even if a piece gets damaged, now that ebay is around, there will always be a place to get another item.



Please drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan