Every House Had It In The '60s — Now It's The Nostalgic Dishware You'd Be Thrilled To Find

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Collectible vintage dishware has been a hot thrifting trend for a while now, and although Pyrex products are often seen as leading the pack, there are some other midcentury-era brands well worth looking for. Mikasa is a dishware manufacturer whose pieces from the 1960s are becoming increasingly collectible, especially rare and hard to find pieces, like the Duplex line designed by Ben Seibel. 

Pyrex products, with their durability and innovative designs for cooking, baking, serving, and storing food, became popular for home use and entertaining from the 1950s onwards. Other companies, including Heath Ceramics and Russel Wright, obviously saw a lively marketplace to participate in, and midcentury modern dishware options flourished. Some midcentury retro kitchenware designers like George Briard forsook the sleek modern designs for more fanciful looks with gold leaf. But the American company Mikasa was known for its definitive midcentury style.

Although named after a city in Japan, Mikasa was founded in California in 1948 by George Aratani. Mikasa was first called "American Commercial Inc." In its earliest days, this company imported dinnerware from Japan, supplying department stores like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and May's before introducing their own product line in 1957. Mikasa's midcentury pieces that became so popular then now have a distinctively nostalgic look that conjures that era. The company still produces kitchenware, but the vintage Duplex pieces from the 1960s are very special, and definitely worth seeking out at thrift shops, flea markets, or on eBay. 

The Duplex line of dinnerware by Mikasa was designed by Ben Seibel, an industrial designer who studied architecture at Columbia University and design at the Pratt Institute. Despite attending these two prestigious schools, Seibel didn't gain a degree, but instead started his own design studio. His designs were very successful, and Seibel reached the height of his popularity in the 1950s. He continued to work until his death in 1985 at age 67. He also designed for Iroquois China and the Roseville Pottery Company. 

Seibel's Duplex line, created for Mikasa, was a striking line of dishware that exemplified the best of the midcentury modern design, with stylized floral and geometric patterns that feel at once whimsical and sophisticated. Most of the Duplex designs have a stark, limited palette, mainly confined to black, white, brown, gold, olive green, and beige tones. The floral patterns include flowers like poppies, daisies, and dahlias, while the geometric patterns are more abstract with both rounded and angular elements. 

Searching on eBay can give you a cursory look at the variety of Mikasa Duplex pieces that might be available, and give you a sense of what to look for when visiting thrift shops or flea markets. There's a fairly wide price range, with some patterns clearly more in demand. On Ebay, a 12-inch round serving platter with the "Brunch" pattern — an earth-toned floral design on a white background — starts at $60 on Ebay, while a set of five dinner plates starts at $109.

There are a number of very collectible Mikasa Duplex patterns to look for. Finding whole sets for entertaining or collecting may be difficult, but they do exist. Still, a set of three or five plates is useful and will look just as beautiful on your table. These gorgeous yet functional designs were meant to be used, not just displayed. The floral patterns are especially appealing for entertaining. However,  like vintage Corelle dinnerware (also with many floral designs), the Duplex line was meant to be used every day.

Some common floral patterns to look for include "Frolic," with black and white flowers and dark brown and golden yellow accents, "Dahlia," with dahlias in shades of spring and lime green on white plates with green edges, and finally  "Sunflower," which are white-edged plates with center designs of sunflowers in gold and olive green. Single pieces are often reasonably priced, starting at $10-15 in good condition.

More geometric patterns by Seibel in the Duplex line include "Axiom," "Contempo," and "Alana." There are sleek, simple cup and saucer sets in solid gold and white, with a set of 5 selling for $50. A relatively rare pink and white color combo can also be found: a set of four cups sells on eBay for $47, while one cup with a saucer sells for $15. If you prefer a sweet lime green, a one-cup-and-saucer starts at $10. These attractive yet practical dishes will add nostalgic beauty to your kitchen and home, so be on the lookout for them.