Anyone who knows me, knows I like dishes. Different patterns for different occasions. I used to want twelve different patterns, a place setting of each, for a mix and match dinner party.
These two photos were taken the weekend of April 8, 2016, Anna and Aric’s Austin, Texas wedding.
(You might remember Champ the ring bearer)
This week’s photo challenge from Cheri Lucas Rowlands is CURVE
My friend Joanne, mother of the bride, was showing me the fine China she brought to the wedding. Wrapped up carefully and boxed in the back of her car. She had moved it from Omaha to Florida.
Here is the story of the plates- The pink and gold Lenox fine China plates were from Carolin, a dear friend and neighbor where they used to live in Omaha. She has since passed but years ago, Carolin was moving, she gave Joanne the plates to save for her daughter, Anna. Anna had worked for her in high school.
“Antoinette Pink pattern #M356/262, introduced in 1937 and discontinued in 1974”
The smaller plate is made by Rosenthal but we don’t have the name of the pattern. Joanne bought those at an estate sale in Nebraska.
When I got married (42 years ago) people still selected a China pattern, service for twelve, I already had my grandmother’s silver flatware but I think people were selecting silver patterns, too. Nowadays it is mostly stainless steel flatware.
Just this week, my sister sent me an article Oh, for keepsakes! What to do with Grandma’s China by Carolyn Hax of the Washington Post about how children of today’s world don’t care to inherit Grandmother’s dishes.
My own daughter houses my grandmother’s delicate Haviland china. I doubt she’s used them. I love to set a table with pretty china and yes, we know that the gold can’t go into a microwave. In fact, fine china can’t go into a microwave either but there’s something lovely about a pretty plate set on a tablecloth that makes the meal a celebration. I even like washing and handling china, thinking of the good time everyone had at a special dinner. Clearly I am old fashioned. Clearly old.
Joanne served an ice cream dessert in a China tea cup to a young visitor. The little girl was delighted. Joanne’s mother said I never would have thought to use it for anything except a cup of tea. Joanne said a first course of soup in a cup and saucer with a side of cheesestraws is lovely, too.
I also love to use all the old dishes – they are so pretty – but there is no-one after us who wants them..my children’s generation aren’t really into all the florals.. c
You are exactly right. They are just not into the style of them, plus the upkeep and care I guess. Thanks for writing from the Farmy. I enjoy following your daily blog.
I love the old dishes, too. We were given a 12-place setting set of Mikasa Black Tie for our wedding, but never had the space to keep them where they were easy to use. Our older daughter wants them, so we’re passing them on to her, although they’re still in our basement. 🙂 I have some lovely English bone china from my great-aunt and a number of old tea cups and saucers as well as various other pieces. BTW, I grew up in Omaha and went to school in Seward. 🙂
janet
Thanks Janet. I am going to check out that pattern so I can envision it. My friend Joanne probably knows right where Seward is located. Thanks for your great comment today. 🙂
I should add that Black Tie wasn’t old (then.) 🙂
It’s elegant and clean lined Looks classic for all generations.
Oh the pink in the Lenox is so delicate and beautiful with the gold!!! And the small plate is translucent? is that the word? Her hand and writing on the back is “visible” in the bright light! A wonderful post with some good ideas for tea cups!!! 🙂
Pingback: Curve (A4) | What's (in) the picture?
Beautiful crockery and perfectly curved. 🙂
Thanks for your visit and nice words today!
love old dishes and these are real beauties
Awww thank you.
Your dishes are beautiful. My grandmother’s and mother’s dishes were passed to my nieces and daughters. We set the table using their great-grandmother’s linens too and it looks beautiful. My daughter has been using delicate wine goblets for seltzer because she likes how it feels. Why save them for special occasions. Eventually I might just pick up a set at a flea market. Very nice post!
Dear Spirit of Dragonflies, Delicate wine goblets for drinking seltzer sounds elegant and inspiring. I agree we must use the items now, no use “saving it” . Enjoy and share the experience with everything we’ve inherited. Thanks for your nice comment.
I have recently started appreciating the value of good china (for my food photography); love these! 🙂
I look forward to following you and seeing some of your food photography. Thanks for your comment.
You’re very welcome, Ruth. 🙂
Lovely post Ruth. I share your love of china, especially miniatures 🙂
Oh miniatures are so lovely! Thanks Rainee.
What a great use for all those china teacups. It would be nice to bring them out of the cupboard.
Yes I think a tea party would be fun!
So pretty. I have a lot of my mom’s miniature teacups and a few special plates.
I also inherited my mother’s fine china. Dairy, meat, passover. Unfortunately it is down in the basement packed away. I’ve used it maybe a total of 5 times since my mom died. I agree with you, it is sad.
Beautiful, elegant designs and well made dish collection! Thank you for sharing the stories. 💖
Thanks Amy.
When I got married I collected Denby tableware, but I don’t think many people here do that now.
My mom picked out a china pattern, and kept the plates in a china cupboard in the living room. I think we used the plates twice in my 18 years of living in the house. But they were pretty to look at.