Documenting Our Family China

What would we do without the Internet, right? Now you can look up th e meaning or whereabouts, or history of almost*anything.

I once made a promise to myself that the man who would/could track down the soundtrack to a particular Hungarian movie, The Time of the Gypsies by Emir Kusturica, would be the man that would win my heart. (Sappy, yes) Well, I own that soundtrack and it was a simple google search to get it for myself. Figures. (Best song: Ederlezi, named for the Romani Spring Festival**)

Anyway....

That story was to illustrate how almost anything can be found nowadays. During a trip to see my Dad last year, he tried to hand off the family china and flatware sets to me. My sisters had already refused and had their own already. I have no use for them but I did want to know more about them. The majority of this post is more for my family than anyone else (others, see story and music links above)

 

First set: white with green flowers and scrolls by Sango. 

Information inscribed on bottom of all pieces:

Sango, Japan, Debutante, 3699

  

Second set: White with pink roses and gray leaves by Royal Doulton. 

Information inscribed on bottom of pieces:

Royal Doulton, English translucent China, Pillar Rose, T.C. 1011, copyright, Doulton + Co. Limited.

Yes, Royal Doulton, but no handpainted periwinkles. Darn.

Glassware: A large set of forest green cocktail glasses that graduate in translucency from their thick solid green bases to thinner, more delicate, and almost clear glass at the top. Purely cylindrical, no stems, indentations or lips. In highball and lowball sizes. No markings or engravings whatsoever on these. Gorgeous, though.

Silverware: There were no distinctive marks or engravings anywhere on the silverware or its padded box to give me even a tiny clue to go on. One thing is known though, my father must of picked it out. The style is very dramatic incorporating the silver with angular gold and wood (mahogany or teak?) handles. Very modern for the time, mid-sixties and would look more at place now. However, they would obviously not work with either of the demure and proper dish sets above!

By searching mid-century stores on Etsy for something else I came across them and was able to track down some information. They are Japanese, mid-century, and the pattern or company (not sure which) name is called ELDAN. They seem to have been popular because many stores had small groups of pieces for sale. However, we almost have a complete set with storage box, including cocktail forks and the serving utensils pictured above (2nd pic).

*Of course, it is always our own responsibility to do our due diligence and not just take one source as an authority, but look to responsible sources of information.
** Link to an awesome Ederlezi dance mix version here.