Things I've been up to: fly fringe, Christmas, England, Titanic, knitting...

It's early morning here in London and I'm sitting in the lounge of my hotel with toast and a cup of tea. No one wakes up this early on vacation except the businessy types and the jet lagged. 

It's very nice and quiet. 

Actually, I'm the only one. Cricket, cricket.

Since my husband's still asleep and I'm sitting in this nice, quiet room, finally with a moment all to myself, I thought I would catch up on the last few weeks of fun things I have been doing.

And first things first, a belated Merry Christmas to all, and an early Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a lovely holiday season.

Test go of creating passementerie.

Tablescape Thursday: A Garden of Jadeite

Welcome to tablescape thursday number two! Special thank you to Between Naps on the Porch for hosting this fun, weekly event.

This week I have a garden green theme, complete with froggy pitcher and birdie salt and peppers. The luminous jadeite glows in the afternoon sun and yellow napkins add some cheery color to a mostly white background.

Fire King Jade-ite in "Jane Ray" shown with yellow and white
 print napkins from Target

Antique mother of pearl cutlery is mixed with Wallace "Grand Baroque"

An alternative to traditional chargers, printed paper cake-liners from
Sur la Table add a bit of fun to the table.

Tweet tweet! I collect bird salt and peppers.
This colorful pair are from Pottery Barn.

Bee themed glassware by La Rochere. An
"Antique Silver" coaster from Pottery Barn
catches any condensation from cold
 ice tea. Don't want to ruin the printed swiss
dot tablecloth!

I love how the light illuminates jadeite!

I love love love this frog pitcher from Sur la Table!

So as promised, I will share some history bits.

Jadeite

This green colored glass dates back to the 1930's. Started by McKee Glass company, jade kitchenware and dinnerware was originally inexpensive and serviceable. Next came Jeanette Glass Company ewith thier colored glass line. Jeanette coined the term "jadeite." Almost a decade later, Anchor Hocking's Fire-king division introduced their "jade-ite." Now, among collectors, all green glassware of this style is just referred to as jadeite. It remained popular into the 70's, with its hey day during the 40's and 50's. Even at the height of it's popularity it was very cheap. Mostly jadeite was distributed as give aways, sometimes in boxes of oatmeal, other times as a gift if you went to the movie theater.

My pattern, "Jane Ray," was given it's name decades after production by collectors. It is one of Anchor Hocking's domestic lines. Anchor Hocking is most well known for it's "Restaurant Ware" line, which was very hearty and was originally used in institutions such as schools and hospitals. Now it is highly collectable. 

Jadeite is a fun thing to collect. It is relatively inexpensive and very available. Most antique shops or flea markets, even thrift shops, have a some for sale. Basically, you don't have to search too far to come up with a set.

Mother of Pearl Cutlery

The most popular time for mother of pearl (MOP) handled cutlery was late 1800's, early nineteen. MOP handled pieces were popular for dessert service, so they are usually blunt knives and forks. I have yet to come across antique MOP spoon, though I have been looking. I like to use mine for breakfast, since they are very delicate. MOP pieces are often silver plated with sterling ferrules (the little silver band between the handle and fork/knife implement). When they are indeed silver plated, antique MOP can be used as a fish service. Today, stainless steel is made differently than it was in years past, but in Victorian times, steel reacted with the fish and created an off taste, which is why antique fish services pieces are traditionally silver or silver plate.

La Rochere Glasses

La Rochere goes back to 1475 France. If you read French, click here for the company's history. The bee pattern is inspired by the Napoleonic Bee. Apparently, the glasses are based on a set that Napoleon had made with his symbol. Napoleon.org says that the bee is a "Symbol of immortality and resurrection, the bee was chosen so as to link the new dynasty to the very origins of France. Golden bees (in fact, cicadas) were discovered in 1653 in Tournai in the tomb of Childeric I, founder in 457 of the Merovingian dynasty and father of Clovis. They were considered as the oldest emblem of the sovereigns of France."

And to learn about the Wallace "Grand Baroque" silverware, please visit my post from last week.

Happy Thursday all!

A Tea Party and an Antique French Embroidered Handkerchief

First the tea party.

I had the pleasure of being invited to a bridal shower the other day and it happened to be a tea party. A very well done tea party at that. It was everything you expected from a tea party, including darling desserts and fab china!

Trembleuse in Old Country Roses by Royal Albert

Above is a "trembluese" in the "Old Country Roses" pattern by Royal Albert. I was like eeeeeeeee!!! when I saw them. 

You just don't see a trembluese every day.

The trembluese is the precursor to the "party pack" - think the plate that you hang your wine glass off the side of. They originated in the 18th century actually. Trembluese comes form the french for tremble. In early examples, the cup fits into an elevated rim to hold it steady, likely for the elderly. In the 19th century they morphed into what we see here, where the cup is offset on a larger-than-a-saucer plate, which allows the user to hold a cup and plate in one hand, instead of getting bogged down by a cup, saucer and plate. Very handy!

Old Country Roses has been in production since the 1960's. Royal Albert goes back to 1896.

The pastry forks are from two different sets. The set on the right is "Repousse" by Kirk Steiff. Repousse is one of my favorite patterns. It is especially interesting because it has been in production here in America since 1828! That makes it the oldest pattern still in production.

Marina and I taking tea :)
If you want to know some interesting history bits,
visit her blog, the Enlightened Age.

So this brings me to the antique handkerchief.

While at the party, the bride was given an antique hankie to carry at her wedding. It reminded me that I never did put my hankie from my wedding in acid free paper. Trip to the wedding box! I ended up wrapping everything I could find in my tissue paper: hankie, veil, candles, flowers... Why risk it?

But before I wrapped up the handkerchief, I took some pictures to share.

The hankie was given to me by my grandmother and I carried it in my purse for my wedding. It was given to her by a friend at the time of her wedding. It is French and probably early 20th, late 19th century. The embroidery looks to be machine done, as it is very uniform, but I am not 100% positive. Either way, it's gorgeous! So elaborate!

Important!!! PS...

Acid free paper is a must! I really must stress how important it is to store your worthy fabric pieces in an acid free environment. As a costumer and collector of antique/vintage textiles, I have learned that proper storage is imperative. 

Heirloom Sewing for Children has great acid free paper in big sheets (30x40''). Click here to be redirected.

Get some acid-free, archival quality paper and tissue and wrap all your goodies in it, then store them where there is air flow and it is cool and dark and dry. Natural fibers especially need to breath (linen, silk, cotton...). Also, it is unwise to store anything in plastic for long stretches of time. If you live in a humid environment, the fabric can get mildew and sometimes the plastic breaks down and then you have a mess.

This applies to both old fabrics as well as new things you may make as a costumer. It would be so sad to spend hours and hours of hard work stitching or embroidering a piece, only to find it years later with those awful yellow discolorations that are a nightmare to get out. Wrapping in paper also helps with wrinkles, believe it or not.

When wrapping up your things, it helps to arrange the tissue so when you fold, the fabric doesn't touch itself and it is always separated by a layer of tissue.

If you really want to up the anti, wrap seasonal clothes, lengerie, delicate fabrics, etc in acid free paper to store. Some people do this when they pack as well, but I don't have the patience.

Trying something new: Tablescape Thursdays.

Recently I heard about Tablescape Thursdays, from Between Naps on the Porch, and I thought it would be something fun to participate in. I have been a little obsessed with china lately...

Basically, each Thursday, any one who wants to play along gets to submit a "tablescape" to her blog and the blogger does one too. They're quite fun to browse through, and it's almost like a fun homework assignment to come up with a new one each week (I wish we had done that in school!). I don't know if I will participate every time, but I thought I would give it a shot.

With one added rule.

To keep with the theme of my blog, and what motivates me to collect china/silver in the first place, the table has to involve a historical element. Think antique plates, vintage linens, reproduction pieces, etc. I encourage anyone who wants to give it a try. You can link to her page, or just to mine. I would love to see what beautiful, historically inspired tables others can create. Even if it's just a vintage tea cup on a nifty napkin. Go for it!

Since this is my first one, and it's already Thursday (eek! Where has the week gone?), I thought I'd pull a picture from a couple weekends ago. Sunday breakfast. It's the last time I took a picture of my table.

And to note, this is only inspired by history, it in no way is a historically accurate table. Just clearing that up! Also, it's more a set table, than a "table scape" but eh whatever. It's for fun.

Yummy! All gone! 

Coffee set: Herend "Queen Victoria" and "Rothschild Bird"

Tray: Wallace "American Chippendale"

Silverware: Wallace "Grand Baroque"

Plates and Tea Cups/Saucers: Royal Copenhagen "Flora Danica"

Crystal: Waterford "Lismore"

Salt Cellars and Silver Serving Dish: Unknown, but purchased at a silver shop in Merchant Square, in Williamsburg.

Jam Pots: Bacarrat

Egg cups: Unknown, purchased from Bloomingdales.

Small Plates: Bernardaud "Constance"

Butter server: Unknown maker, c. 1920.

Muffineer/Castor: Unknown maker. Purchased on Portobello Rd, London.

Linens: Waterford hemstiched

So a bit about each piece, and why this table is inspired by history:

Starting with the china, I went a bit in depth about Royal Copenhagen's Flora Danica recently. In short, it has been in production since the 18th century. It was originally commissioned as a set for Catherine the Great. The Herend coffee pot is in the "Queen Victoria" pattern. The original set was introduced in 1851 at the First World Exhibition in London. It was purchased by Queen Victoria herself and was later named after her. "Rothschild Bird" was first created in 1860 for the Rothschild family. It portrays a 19th century tale about Baroness Rothschild, who lost a pearl necklace in her garden. Days later it was found by her gardener, who saw birds playing with it in a tree.

The smaller, green plates are by Bernardaud, "Constance," and are Limoges porcelain. Limoges is a hard paste porcelain that has been made in Limoges, France, since the 18th century. Bernardaud was established after the Revolution, and the Contance pattern is reminiscent design during the French Empire.

The antique silver pieces speak for themselves. The covered butter, which can be seen next to the jam pots, is from the 1920's. The sugar castor was a gift, brought back from Portobello Road, and my husband and I picked up the salt cellars and covered serving dish (holding the waffles) when we were in Virginia. 

The silverware is new, but is in the "Grand Baroque" pattern, reminiscent of baroque design. Wallace has been making Grand Baroque since 1941.

The crystal is Waterford, which is one of the oldest crystal manufacturers. It was established in 1783 in Ireland. "Lismore" had it's 50th anniversary in 2002.

The linen under the coffee set is displayed pressed. In the 18th century, linens were set out with creases to show that the house had a press.

P.S. If you want to join in, take this handy badge for your blog:

Pots de Creme

Set of two Chinese Export brown
Fitzhugh Crested Pot de Creme, 1785.
Vandekar of Knightsbridge

I always think they are just the cutest little things!

Originally popping up in the 17th century, these little pots were created with their lids to keep broths and meat juices warm. According to Clare Le Corbeiller, decorative arts curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art "in the eighteenth century this shape cup was called pots à jus." In the 19th century, they started using them to serve desserts, most notably, pot de creme.

Pot de creme is a loose, french custard. It's unbelievably easy to make. I know this, because I made it for the first time last night and it was amazing! I had a friend over so I thought I would give making pot de creme a shot. We took a bite and ohmygosh! The best thing I have had in a while.

I don't have pots yet, so I used porcelain ramekins. I have also seen them made in teacups - just make sure they are oven safe!

Pot de Creme au Chocolat (with a little almond - yum!)

This makes 4 full pots, or 6 smaller portions.

2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate

1 cup half and half

3 Tbs sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp almond extract

pinch of salt

Over a double boiler, melt the chocolate and add the milk. Keep warm. In a second bowl, beat the egg with the sugar and add the almond extract and salt. Temper the egg mixture into the milk/chocolate and remove from heat. 

Fill your pots de creme and place in a pyrex pan. Fill with boiling water, up to 1/2inch from the top of the pots. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. 

Remove the pots from the water bath and cool for about an hour. They will not be fully set until they cool. Cover and chill in the fridge for (suggested) 3 hours, but we ate ours after about 90 minutes. As long as they are chilled through so they set up.

Some other suggestions, if you are not fond of almond: orange zest, vanilla, grand marnier... Lots of options!

Sevres pot de creme, 1765
MB

 English Creamware Covered
Pot de Creme, 1785-95
Vandekar of Knightsbridge

Sevres pot de creme
via Live Auctioneers

Sevres Porcelain Covered Pots-de-Creme, 1768
via Live Auctioneers

Lahoche & Pannier, 1855.
Vandekar of Knightsbridge

18th Century China That is Still Made Today

Richard Collins' A Family of Three at Tea, 1727

After the grandeur of Royal Copenhagen's Flora Danica and it's royal Ice Bell, I thought I would take a look at china one might find in an average fashionable home of the 18th century. Blue and white porcelain, along with creamware, were some of the post popular styles for household china, in both Europe and the United States during this time, and both remained popular well into the 19th century. The patterns and companies featured below, I chose because one can still purchase pieces in these patterns today, and most are still being made by the original companies who produced the china in the 1700's. To me, very cool.

Blue and White China

Blue and white china became hugely popular in the 18th century, along with other chinoiserie. Starting in the 17th century, specific blue and white patterns started to be made in China as an export for the European market. European companies also started making blue and white patterns. Meissen's Blue Onion pattern and Delftware are good examples of this. Staffordshire, in England, is also known for their blue and white porcelain. The style was popular well into the 19th century, and is still widely reproduced today. Some patterns that are very true to their 18th century originals are Mottahedeh's Blue Canton and Myott/Staffordshire Blue Willow, also called willow ware. Willow ware is said to tell a love story through it's images.

"So she tells me a legend centuries old

Of a Mandarin rich in lands and gold,

Of Koong-Shee fair and Chang the good,

Who loved each other as lovers should.

How they hid in the gardener's hut awhile,

Then fled away to the beautiful isle.

Though a cruel father pursued them there,

And would have killed the hopeless pair,

But kindly power, by pity stirred,

Changed each into a beautiful bird.

Here is the orange tree where they talked,

Here they are running away,

And over all at the top you see,

The birds making love alway(s)."

(from Antique Pottery: Blue Willow, by Wayne Maddox)

Myott/Staffordshire Blue Willow
Replacements, Ltd.

Mottahedeh Blue Canton

Meissen (Blue Onion)

De Porceleyne Fles (The Porcelain Jar) aka Royal Delft

Creamware, Queensware and Pearlware

Circa 1750, creamware was developed by Staffordshire potters as a replacement for chinese porcelain. Durable, but not fine, it was a good domestic china. In 1779, after a comment from Lady Dartmouth, that she and her friends were tired of the cream, Josiah Wedgwood created pearlware, which had a more blue/white tint. Pearlware was much like "china glaze," which potters had been making for about five years before Wedgwood's pearl. Creamware was also made in Leeds, most notably by Hartley Greens & Co., which became competition to Wedgwood. Leeds creamware is distinct because of its pierced work and green enameling. By 1790, Bristol and Liverpool also produced creamware.

Wedgwood Queens Plain

Hartley Greens & Co. Pierced Tea Pot
(also available through Williamsburg Marketplace)

Hartley Greens & Co. Pierced Chestnut Bowl

Wedgwood Pearlware Dish
Cathcart's Antiques

Mottahedeh Creamware

Creamware for Royals? When creamware pottery was shown to Queen Charlotte, she liked it so much that she allowed it to be called Queensware. In 1775, Catherine II (Catherine the Great) of Russia had a 952 piece set made for her by Wedgwood.

Catherine II of Russia
by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder.
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Queen Charlotte by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Private Collection

http://www.antiqueweb.com/articles/antiquepottery.html

http://www.zwiebelmuster.com/story1.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/142107/creamware

http://www.jefpat.org/diagnostic/post-colonial%20ceramics/shell%20edged%20wares/Shell%20Edged%20Wares%20Main.htm