It was nearing that time in life. In just a few years, my grandparents would move out of their own home and into an assisted living facility. To prepare for that major transition, my grandmother started giving away some of her treasures.
I visited them one summer during this season. While there, my grandmother asked if I would like to have her dessert china set–one of four sets of china she owned. I didn’t hesitate to say a quick and grateful yes.
The set originally belonged to her grandmother, which makes it a pretty old set. It is some of the most delicate china I have ever seen.
My grandmother, Nancy as she was known in her adult life, but Annie in her youth, was British. She was born in England and moved to the States with her family when she was 13.
She was always a very put-together lady, and she thoroughly enjoyed “proper” entertaining, hence the four sets of china 🙂
Her British heritage didn’t mean much to me as a kid (except as a reason for annoyance because she always put butter on my sandwiches), but as I grew up and came to love the UK, it has meant more and more to me. Quite honestly, I wish I knew more about where she grew up and what her life was like. I regret not taking the time to find out more while I had the opportunity.
I feel like this set connects me though to a little bit of that English charm. I had a wonderful place to display the pieces in my first home, but I haven’t had a chance to get it back out until very recently.
Back in December I purchased this antique pine cabinet as a Christmas gift for myself, and the dessert china set now has a place to be displayed again.
The motif is birds and flowers, in various shades of deep and pale pink.
From what I can tell, the set was made sometime before 1918 in Austria. I am doubtful it has any amazing retail market value, but to me its priceless.
I like to think back to a time when pieces like this were used on a regular basis. I wonder how many people in my family have taken tea off this set over the past 100 years?
The little creamer and sugar bowl are not part of the original set, but were added in sometime later and match quite well.
I’ve been able to find replacements for sale online of the Royal Crown “Derby Posies” pattern, but not of the original Victoria pattern. That’s ok though, I doubt I will ever try to add any to the collection. I love it as it stands and appreciate knowing how many generations of my family it has passed through.
Maybe one of my boys will marry a nice young lady, and I can have someone else to pass it on to 🙂
Are there a few special pieces in your life? Items that hold memories or that have been passed down through the generations? If so, I would love to have you share about them.
Thank you for letting me share one of mine with you today.
Jean
Saturday 27th of February 2016
I love your story, It makes me a little sad as I have 3 sets of china. My husbands grandmas, my mother in - laws and mine and no one to pass them on too .This is the first time in my life I wish I had a daughter. I would like to think she would be happy to have them, but maybe not. LOL Use and enjoy your china .
Melanie
Saturday 27th of February 2016
Jean, I have no daughters either :( Maybe there is a niece somewhere? Or a daughter-in-law to come? Or maybe a special young lady that you can bless with your pieces sometime. I am glad you have been able to keep so many things from your family, I do hope someone comes along who treasures it like you have!
Jane B
Wednesday 24th of February 2016
I have some of my mom's china which, I believe, she bought when we lived in Japan (I was an Army brat). If still alive, my mom would be 116!! so that means the china is probably around 60+ years old. Not very old, but we lost so many things in Hurricane Betsy in New Orleans back in 1965, so what I have from my mom is certainly priceless. I also have a 4 poster, "pineapple-topped) bed, originally a rope bed, from the late 1700's. I gave the bed last year to my son and his wife who absolutely love it. I still get to sleep in it when I go there for baby-sitting and a sleepover! ;) (Thank goodness the bed wasn't given to me until after I was married and long past the '65 hurricane & flood).
Melanie
Saturday 27th of February 2016
Those are real treasures Jan! Especially after losing so many things in the hurricane. After going through an event like that I am sure you have learned how to appreciate things!
Linda
Wednesday 24th of February 2016
I have a set of china that was my mother's as well as gold china serving pieces. I was also (only child ) to receive her sterling silver flatware. At some point in my adult life I learned her appreciation of old and re-purposed things. Last summer I purchased random dessert plates and 4 Fitz and Floyd asparagus patterned serving dish. bowls and another dish more like a small serving bowl. I love to use the silver. It looks so classy even on my small table in the dining area.
Melanie
Saturday 27th of February 2016
Wow! The gold china serving pieces sound incredible! Thank you for sharing Linda :)
Nancy
Tuesday 23rd of February 2016
Lovely china dessert . set. You are fortunate to have it. My name is Anne and my family has always called me Nancy, the nickname for Anne. It has always amused me that many people do not know this. I have meet Nancy Annes in my travels in the US. There was a bakery named Nancy Anne in Indiana. Smiles
Melanie
Saturday 27th of February 2016
That is so fun! I actually wasn't aware that Nancy was the official nickname for Anne, I just thought it was something they used for her. I didn't share this in the post, but my other grandmother's name is Louise, and I always said if I was to have a little girl her name would be Annie-Louise, after my two grandmothers. Alas, only 3 boys though! haha !
Linda from q is for quandie
Tuesday 23rd of February 2016
Thanks for sharing your lovely china Melanie! I am always drawn to pretty vintage china at the thrift store or garage sales. It's always being sold so cheap, and I tend to feel a little sad that no one loves it anymore. I often want to buy pieces just to give them a home. I'm glad you are treasuring yours!
Melanie
Saturday 27th of February 2016
I agree Linda, I also think it's sad that not much of it has "real" value (as far as collectible value is concerned) anymore. It was once such a huge part of the family, I guess it has gone the way of the family dinner . . . Why have dishes if you just eat pizza?