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.

Modern Decorative Arts

The Studio Magazine began publishing in England in 1893. It was a fine arts and decorative arts magazine illustrating the Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts movements in home furnishings. The one I checked out of the library was the 1954 issue but they also had the 1909 edition which can be viewed in its entirety (168 pages) through Google Books here. After 1906, they started to publish an annual compilation called The Studio Year-Book of Decorative Art. This was dedicated to the latest trends in interior design, furniture, lighting, glassware, textiles, and ceramics. In the 1960s, it was renamed Decorative Art in Modern Interiors. These annuals ceased publishing in 1980. I would love to get my hands on the volumes from the mid 1950s to the mid 1960s.

 

I just found the original magazines online here at the Internet Archives. How come no one told me about the Internet Archive. What an incredible source of free publications!

Another reason to visit London...

To see the Geffrye Museum!

"The Geffrye Museum's collections comprise furnishings, pictures and ornaments reflecting the history of the English home over the past 400 years. Our focus is on the living rooms of the urban middle classes, mainly in London, and our collection of objects is unique in being typical of those used in the parlours and dining rooms of people from the middle ranks of English society. These include lawyers, doctors, teachers and people in all forms of media and business, from retailing to banking. The choices they make, both in the past and now, in their own homes reflect their values and aspirations and are a key part of our national identity."


1640 London merchant's house

1960's London townhouse

Too cool, right?! And they have 11 period rooms of furniture, like this one from 1965:



Also check out their Life in the living room 1600-2000 exhibition online here.

A Year Late

Last weekend I was watching a Mad Men episode (Season 2, Episode #8, "A Night to Remember") on DVD for the first time. I'm watching the second scene; which takes place in Peggy's sister's house, and I notice that Peggy is sitting down in a platform rocking chair. One that is very similar to my own beloved chair!

See? I can hardly believe it.

Mad Men

Mine

I consider mine the more streamlined version because hers has those curvy arms and mine are more modern and angular.

Now, I wish I had seen this episode last year when it first aired. It then wouldn't be so strange if I tried to pick the prop master or set decorator's brain about what they know about these particular chairs. However, a year later, I am still going to try. So, Amy Wells, you should expect an email from me!

By the way, if anyone can get me a clearer* screen capture of this chair, I would be very grateful!

* Yes, I DID set my camera up on a tripod in front of the TV to get this shot. I then had to queue up the DVD four separate times to take pictures of that chair. I'm so sad when it comes to technology...and so obsessive when it comes to my platform rocker.

Fiat Lux!*

I'm sorry it took me so long to post these images from my trip to Historic Fredericksburg. I so wanted to do some research about these floor lamps to add to the images but I don't think that's going to happen. So enjoy the purty pictures!

These lamps were definitely eye-catching. I believe that the details are Bakelite and I love how the middle picture will forever remind me of a very ornate Big Bird's legs.




This lamp had marble detailing on the stem and had a lighted "night-light" base on the bottom. You know I have a thing for lamps like this already.



A six-way floor lamp with a lighted base. Luckily they had this one plugged in so you could check to see if it worked. This one is very similar to the one I own and still need to get rewired.

*Latin: Let there be light!

I Found One in Fredericksburg!

Yes, I found another chair similar to my beloved rocking chair and this time I got to see it in person! I was amazed how happy it made me to see that the mechanism was almost identical, except for the fact that with this one you had a choice with how far you could recline by replacing that brass bar. I wonder if that is the original bar (there are no other brass accents) or if it is a substitute? However, the tag for this chair said it was a Morris; a name I've heard before in my research and, therefore, why I think this is much older than mine. Unfortunately, no date was attributed to it.

Oh and also, this one was going for $275 and I got my mine for a sweet, sweet $25.

Look What I Found...and Lost

This post is connected to a series on SHELTER about my trip to the vintage stores in Historic Fredericksburg, VA.

After a false alarm on Route 301, where I saw a metal bustled dress form that turned out to be $225, I came across this sweet model in Carroll's Antiques. How lucky was I to see this one, suspiciously close to my size?



Not much, as the owner uses it for display and would not part with it for less than $250. While in good shape (and in my size!) there was no way I was paying that! I suppose if I were a collector...but then again, the adjustable-height metal one by the side of the road was a much better specimen for around the same price. A little de-rusting and it would have been a great conversation piece.

Other fashion-related items seen in Historic Fredericksburg:

Velvet and tulle costume

This wonderful costume immediately made me think of A Midsummer's Night Dream. That multi-colored tulle skirt was beautiful in person.

Brocade wedding (?) ensemble