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: