Inca Ware Shenango China

Beige Restaurant or Hotel Creamer with two hand painted lines at the middle.

Inca Ware is a line of restaurant china manufactured by the Shenango China Company of New Castle, Pennsylvania, from the 1920s to the mid-20th century. The durable, semi-vitrified dinnerware is known for its light, often tan-colored background and simple, banded decoration. 

Key features of Inca Ware

Restaurant ware: Inca Ware was specifically produced for commercial use in hotels, restaurants, and institutions. This makes it heavy, durable, and resistant to chipping, designed to withstand the rigors of commercial food service.

Distinctive colors: The most common Inca Ware features a "buff," "desert tan," or off-white base color. It is often decorated with a simple, colorful band or a "transferware" pattern, such as the popular Edgemere and Rose Point designs.

Manufacturing location: Shenango China Company was based in New Castle, Pennsylvania, from 1901 until it closed in 1991. All authentic Inca Ware was produced at this facility.

Vintage era: Production of this specific line occurred primarily between the 1920s and 1950s.