My Grandma's Attic: Her Dinnerware Collection

Six months ago, my dad and I cataloged my late grandmother’s collection of dishes and cut glass pieces. We were pretty amazed at how much stuff that included, as most of this was never on display. Not surprising, I found that most of them were not my style. I love vintage but my taste is pretty specific and there was a lot here that I did not like. However, for our purposes of what to keep and what to donate, I tried to research the pieces I could identify from markings or specific details. It boggles the mind that my Grandmother had so many different sets of china, all styles, and an amazing large set of cut glass…everything! I’m going to post a few images and descriptions and at the end I’m going to show what made that whole afternoon of opening boxes, setting up groupings, and photographing it all worth it. Oh, so worth it!

Here’s the worst of the bunch, in my opinion the worst design I have ever seen on dinnerware and we are now in possession of a huge set of these:

Yes, your eyes are not lying, green and gold faux Victoriana plates from the Taylor Smith Taylor company. These were produced mid-century and manufactured in the U.S. The platters feature Victorian couples in the center surrounded with a deep forest green band with an intricate overlaid pattern in gold. Research shows this pattern has been known by collectors as Victorian Couple, George and Martha Washington, Quadrille, Romeo and Juliet, or Courting Couple. Each size plate, bowl, or cup shows a different scene. I think because of the green and gold colors that it resembles a holiday collection of some sorts. This. I do not like.

My grandmother has one standout set that is very popular and yet still very desirable. The pattern is popular in its own right and I have even seen it used on cell phone cases. The name is Blue Willow and you probably feel that you’ve seen it before, even if just at a thrift store. Like I said, it was very popular. This design or some kind of close variation was produced by many companies, such as Homer Laughlin (of Fiestaware fame), Spode, Royal Dalton, and Wedgewood. Our set was manufactured by Churchill, a British company and is marked so on the bottom of the pieces. However, when looking at the individual pieces I noticed some variation. Many had the inscribed Churchill mark on the bottom but the stamps would look different and the pieces themselves would have little discrepancies. This was not a one-time purchase, she probably accumulated these over time instead. If sold, it should be in groupings so that each set would have identical pieces.

This Ellesmere Furnival tureen is similarly colored but not related and unfortunately I have not been able to find any information more than the name marked on the base of the piece. Also note in the picture above that the two cups with the Blue Willow pattern have differently shaped handles, another example of their being multiple variations of that pattern in the collection.

  

Here are just a few of the unmarked cut glass pieces varying from butter dishes, compotes, salad dressing cruets to tiered dessert plates and hors d'oeuvre trays (not pictured).

Then there were these, the Whitney #5671 from Imperial China and manufactured in Japan. Again, not my type but I can appreciate its beauty. The white dishes with silver trim are surrounded with a leaf scroll design painted on a light gray band. We have a near complete set of I did a little research, I have much more to do, but I found out on one site that an 8 to 10 place setting, during a good market period, could bring in $700-900 depending on condition. So there is hope for our little venture.

Oh, and the items that made that entire day worth it? Feast your eyes on these!

A Blendo summer cocktail set!

Possibly from the West Virginia Glass Company, this frosted turquoise juice pitcher and eight-piece tumbler set, 2 each of bright aqua, coral, yellow, and sage green with gold rims. The company put out variations of these colorful sets where the saturated solid color at the base gradually fades as it rises into clear glass with a gold band marking the divide. Some were all one color sets, others were multicolor in brights and pastels. Check Etsy or eBay for "Blendo" and you will be amazed. Anyone who has seen my apartment (use the Home tag on this blog to see images) knows that these colors fit right in.  I adore this set. Though I have never 'had people over for summer cocktails', I will at least be prepared if the occasion ever does arrive.

I have a strong feeling that these were a gift to my grandmother because, come on, one look at the stuff above and then look at this...not the same style at all, right? Well, they are no longer packed away, though I would prefer that they were. My father put them through the dishwasher (No!*) and now has them on display in his home even though we agreed that they were mine to keep. I asked him to take care of them but I meant for them to stay protected in their bubble wrap. I hope to claim them in the future and display them when a place I live in is no longer considered a "hazardous place for delicate things to live".

Documenting Our Family China

What would we do without the Internet, right? Now you can look up the 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.

The House I Grew Up In

Wende asks: If you could, would you buy the house you grew up in?

Strangely, I currently had the above picture which was taken when my family first moved into the house. My dad gave me this a few weeks ago so I could scan and preserve the image for him. Obviously it doesn't look like this now, in fact, just a few months ago, my Dad had the windows in the back of the house (both bedrooms) extended down to the brick line, changed some of the kitchen cabinetry, and installed all new stainless appliances.

Finally you can look out of the windows in the bedrooms! As a kid, it was both frustrating and scary hearing all the sounds of the outdoors but not being able to see anything. It was the same room design that prisoners have and came with a similar trapped feeling.

Though the house has gone through a lot of design changes and updates, the answer to Wende's question would still be no. I would still hold out for the bungalow cottage owned by the Barnes on the other side of the street. That house started it all. Their corner lot, fenced-in backyard for Bridget the dog, and finished attic bedroom was a dream.