The Mid-Century Style Lenox Pattern You'd Be Thrilled To Find At The Thrift Store

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When you think of mid-century style, what comes to mind? You might be imagining sleek and futuristic (for its time, at least) furniture, the bold colors and iconic shape of valuable Dansk dinnerware, and lots of teak wood. Well, here's another to add to your list: the Lenox Caribbee pattern. Produced by the company from 1954 until 1970, the Caribbee pattern may not be what you typically associate with mid-century modern style. It features a pale pink rim, lined with a band of gold around the outer circumference and a gold rope around the interior. The design is elegant and understated, perfect for an intimate dinner party or for displaying in a hutch.

Lenox Caribbee may not be worth as much as some of the most valuable porcelain china pieces, but if you come across it at the thrift store, it's not something to pass up. Sets of four to six dinner plates have recently sold on eBay for around $120 to $130, while a 30-piece service for six sold for nearly $300. At Replacements.com, a 45-piece starter set, which includes service for eight, is listed for $1,899. Of course, by browsing thrift stores or checking out local flea markets or estate sales, you may be able to find a better deal.

Some Lenox patterns, like the valuable, century-old Autumn pattern, are known for their intricate designs and details. But Caribbee is considerably more subdued and deceptively simple, with its plain pink rim and gold trim. The most intricate design on the pattern is the gold rope on the inner side of the pink rim.

Looking at the front of a piece of Lenox dinnerware can help you determine if you've found the right pattern. Flipping the piece over and checking out the markings on the back will confirm that what you're holding is actually Lenox and actually the Caribbee pattern. The dinnerware will have a backstamp and code that identifies it. Until about 1989, the company's backstamp was a capital, cursive letter L surrounded by a wreath. Underneath the wreath should be written "LENOX" in all capital letters, followed by "MADE IN USA." The backstamp may also contain the name of the pattern and will have the pattern's code number, as well. The code number for the Caribbee pattern is X-444, with X representing 1954, the year the pattern debuted.

With its elegantly simple design, Caribbee can steal the show at a holiday dinner or birthday celebration. Used for decoration, it can brighten up a plate wall or its cups and saucers can provide the perfect new home for a small succulent or other tiny houseplant.