Question:
I have been given a service for 8 of Capistrano, including some serving pieces. Can you tell me what specific pieces are considered "rare"? I am considering keeping the dishes and using them. Is there any special "care" involved? Do I need to wash them by hand? Do I have to be careful not to use knives on the surface? They are in very good condition. Thanks! Barbara

Answer: The trivet, covered soup tureen, 11 inch buffet bowl, and the 10.5 inch salad bowl are among the more difficult to find pieces of Capistrano. The teapot, water pitcher and covered beverage server can also be tough to find in mint condition as they are quite fragile. The care needed for a set of Capistrano is really no different than any other dinnerware. Knives can leave scratches in the glaze if the knife is sharp and the user forces the knife into the surface. Spoons, knives and forks (silverware) can leave a grayish streak on a plate or bowl. Plates and smaller bowls should be fine in a dishwasher if the dishes don’t touch each other and bang around. Larger pieces are best washed by hand because they don’t fit as well in the dishwasher and thus are more likely to be damaged. Be especially careful of the spouts on pieces like the teapot and beverage server as they chip very easily. To preserve your set, you may want to considered adding a few extra Capistrano plates, bowls, cups, etc as backups in case something gets damaged. Take good care of your Capistrano dinnerware, but don’t be afraid to use and enjoy it.

Larry