Azalea: Noritake's Most Popular Dinnerware Pattern

Azalea is the common name for Noritake's Pattern No. 19322, a hand-painted porcelain dinnerware line produced from approximately 1918 through the 1940s. Originally sold as premium items through the Larkin Company of Buffalo, New York, in exchange for soap product coupons, Azalea became one of the most widely distributed Japanese porcelain patterns in American homes. The pattern features delicate pink azalea blossoms with green foliage on a white porcelain body with gold trim.

Identifying Azalea Pattern

Genuine Noritake Azalea pieces carry backstamps that evolved over the production period. Early pieces (1918-1920s) bear the "M-in-Wreath" mark with "Hand Painted" and "Noritake" beneath. Later pieces use the "M-in-Wreath" mark with "Noritake" above and "Made in Japan" below.

The pattern number 19322 may appear on some pieces. All authentic pieces feature the same pink azalea floral spray, though the exact placement varies by form. The quality of the hand-painting is notably consistent across the production run, reflecting Noritake's high manufacturing standards during this period.

Forms and Serving Pieces

The Azalea line was produced in an extensive range of forms beyond standard place settings:

• Dinner plates, salad plates, bread plates, soup bowls, fruit bowls

• Teapots, coffee pots, creamers, sugar bowls

• Serving platters (various sizes), vegetable bowls, gravy boats

• Condiment sets, egg cups, toothpick holders

• Cake plates, compotes, candy dishes, cheese-and-cracker sets

• Specialty items: mustard jars with spoons, jam jars, spoon holders

The rarest forms include the 15-piece child's tea set, the syrup pitcher with underplate, and the large punch bowl. Larkin catalogs from the period document which pieces were available in each redemption year, which helps collectors date individual items.

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

Gold trim wear is the single most common condition issue with Azalea. Pieces that have been dishwasher-washed show significant gold loss, which reduces value by 40-60%.

Chips, especially on plate rims, substantially lower value. Hairline cracks are difficult to detect but can be revealed by holding pieces up to strong light.

Teapot and coffeepot lids are frequently chipped or replaced; always verify the lid fits properly and matches the body in tone and gold quality. The finials on covered dishes are also vulnerable to chips and repairs.

Staining on the white porcelain body, while uncommon on well-cared-for pieces, can occur from food or mineral deposits and is difficult to remove without risking damage to the hand-painted decoration.

Collecting Tips

Because Azalea was produced in such large quantities, common place setting pieces remain affordable and easy to find. Focus on the harder-to-find serving pieces and specialty items for the best long-term value.

The Larkin Company catalog numbers correspond to specific forms, and referencing Joan Van Patten's "Collector's Encyclopedia of Noritake" helps verify correct identification.

Watch for reproduction pieces from the 1980s-1990s that lack the quality hand-painting and proper backstamps of originals. Sets with original Larkin Company documentation or original packing carry a premium among serious collectors.

The Azalea pattern remains one of the most recognized names in Japanese export porcelain, and its connection to the Larkin Company premium program gives it an interesting place in American consumer history beyond its decorative appeal.