World Trade Center's Windows on the World China Plate, Avoided 9/11 Destruction

Title: Rare "Windows on the World" Dinner Plate | Spared from 9/11 Destruction | From the World Trade Center's Iconic Restaurant

Description:
This striking porcelain dinner plate was originally part of the elegant table service used at the famed "Windows on the World" restaurant, located atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Measuring approximately 10.5 inches in diameter, the plate features a clean white center bordered by a vibrant Deco-style pattern in cobalt blue and golden yellow. The geometric motif reflects the refined yet modern aesthetic of the restaurant’s high-altitude dining experience. The reverse bears a black underglaze manufacturer’s mark: Steelite International / Albalite — a British maker known for its durable, high-quality commercial tableware. The plate remains in near fine condition, with only minor, isolated surface scuffs visible upon close inspection.

Historical Context:
Opened in 1976 and perched on the 106th and 107th floors of the North Tower, "Windows on the World" was more than a restaurant — it was a cultural landmark offering unparalleled views of Manhattan. Following its closure after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the restaurant was fully renovated and triumphantly reopened in 1996. At its peak, it was the highest-grossing restaurant in the United States, serving hundreds of patrons nightly and hosting celebrities, business elites, and tourists alike.

This particular plate was spared destruction because it was taken for use at a private dinner party just prior to the September 11 attacks. According to the niece of renowned assassinologist Ronald Hoskins, from whose collection this item originates, the dish was one of several borrowed by a woman who hosted the dinner and never had the opportunity to return them following the tragedy.

The plate's distinctive design is attributed to Milton Glaser, the legendary graphic designer behind the "I ♥ NY" logo. Glaser created custom dishware, menus, and branding for the restaurant, infusing each element with themes of celestial wonder — including designs featuring stars, clouds, and suns — symbolizing the restaurant’s sky-high perch above the city.

Authentication & Provenance:
This plate is an original piece of dishware from the "Windows on the World" restaurant, as confirmed by its specific pattern and backstamp. A nearly identical plate appears in archival photographs of the restaurant and in the collection of the Smithsonian’s "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" exhibit. Very few of these items survived the collapse of the World Trade Center, and most remaining examples are housed in institutional collections.

Closing Appeal:
Offered here is a rare and poignant artifact — a surviving remnant from one of the most iconic restaurants in American history, intimately tied to one of the nation’s most somber events. Its elegant design, direct connection to the World Trade Center, and remarkable survival story make it a powerful collectible for those interested in 9/11 history, design, or cultural heritage. An evocative symbol of memory and resilience.