Sunday, March 22, 2015

Coffee Table Dinner For One Tablescape

"I'd rather have flowers on my table than diamonds on my neck" ~ Emma Goldman.


I often eat alone at this coffee table in the family room.  This room is comfortable and well worn, with a big stone fireplace, a leather sofa and chair, antiques, and long ago photographs of my family going back to my great grandparents' generation.


The china is Blue Rose/Blue Bouquet by Johann Haviland.  It was another great antique store find, with 12 place settings and several accessory pieces.  The place settings include a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, coaster, soup bowl, berry bowl, and cup/saucer.  The accessories include two sizes of oval platters, serving bowl, soup tureen, round gravy bowl, sugar, and creamer.  What a nice set this is.


It is always fun to find out something about the history of antiques and vintage items.  During my research about this china pattern, I found out that the well known Haviland maker started with David Haviland in 1853.  His sons and their descendants continued the family business with many splits along the way.  Jean/John/Johann was David's grandson and moved to Bavaria (Waldershof, Germany) in 1907 to begin the Johann Haviland Company.  The Johann Haviland Company was comparatively short-lived, ceasing production in 1924.  The name rights were eventually purchased by an Italian Company, and later by the Rosenthal Group in 1937.  Rosenthal began producing fine china for export to the United States that was marked "Johann Haviland, Bavaria, Germany."  In the 1970s and 1980s, many patterns were sold in grocery stores as premiums, distributed by the Johann Haviland Corporation of Des Plaines, Illinois.  I haven't been able to narrow down the exact vintage of my Blue Rose/Blue Bouquet pattern - could be anywhere from 1937 to the late 1980s.


The Elegant Glass from the Depression Era is New Martinsville/Viking Prelude.  My grandmother gave me a set of parfait glasses in this pattern when I was a young teenager.  I brought one with me to my first Depression Glass show, where someone from the DelMarVa glass club identified it for me, and the hunt was on.  Over the years, this is the pattern that I have collected extensively.


Oddly enough, I have never collected flatware.  I have always just used my every day Oneida, completely replacing it about once a decade when most of the forks have mysteriously disappeared.  That is about to change, starting with this 1847 Rogers Bros Daffodil pattern.


This violin was my grandfather's when he was a boy.  It had been stored up in my grandparent's attic, and was unearthed when they were cleaning the house out in preparation for their move to a retirement home in Florida,  It was in sad shape, with a coat of grime and multiple cracks in the body, considered worthless, and put out with the trash.  Mike saw it, knew how much I love things for the sentimental value, and rescued it for me.  The candlestick was from a Depression Glass show.  I think it is Duncan Miller, but I can't remember.  One of these days, I'll get all my hard copy notes and receipts organized on the computer.  It would be wonderful to have the inventory records right at my fingertips, not to mention the volume of physical space that I could declutter!


This is one of my favorite family photos.  I am on the right with Cousin Judy on the left - early 1970s.  On my mother's side, I am one of 19 cousins.  Growing up, we had many family get togethers, and Cousin Judy always had something creative up her sleeve.  I remember this occasion was a music recital for the grandparents and the aunts and uncles.  All the cousins dressed up - notice the long dresses, 1970s style.  None of us were musically talented, and it warms my heart to think of how patiently and attentively our audience listened to what must have been absolutely agonizing to sit through :-)


Ending with a general view of the family room.


Table Details:

Blue Rose patterned china Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, Berry Bowl, and Cup/Saucer:
     Johann Haviland, Bavaria, Germany Blue Rose/Blue Bouquet (Discontinued Actual: 1937 - 1980s)
Blue Rose patterned china Pitchers:
      Colonia Pottery Stoke England Avon
Clear Elegant Depression Era glass Wine and Cordial Glasses:
     New Martinsville/Viking Prelude (Discontinued Actual: 1940 - 1986)
Clear Elegant Depression Era glass Candlestick:
     Duncan Miller?
Placemat and Napkin:
     Pier One, pattern Hemstich Smoke Blue
Flatware:
     1847 Rogers Bros, Daffodil

Participating in Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

13 comments:

  1. Your table for one is lovely and memorable. What a wonderful way to share some of your heritage and the treasures from your collection.

    Jocelyn @ http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you for the nice feedback! I have to tell you that Jocelyn has always been one of my absolutely favorite names. I first heard it when I was a young girl reading the Anne of Green Gables books. In the Chronicles of Avonlea, which is a collection of short stories centered around the characters in Avonlea, there is a sweet story about Little Jocelyn and her impact on an elderly lady. The story and the name Jocelyn made an impression on me. I am new at blogging and also at tablescaping, and am so happy when anyone actually sees it and leaves a comment!

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  2. Terri, you post is as beautiful, as it is informative. My passion is tableware, but more the history of the decorative arts that can be discovered in researching it all. Your china is beautiful - I am wondering about the coasters. Do you think they could be butter pats? I love those and they are difficult to find. The crystal is gorgeous and I love that your grandmother started your collection. I have been giving all of my grandchildren silver, since they were born. One more thing, my daughter, oldest granddaughter and I used to post together on a blog called Tablescape Times Three. My daughter, occasionally, still posts there. Anyway, she has a great video that she made showing how to do an inventory file on Word and it changed my life! Here is the link, if you would like to see it:
    http://tablescapex3.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-make-spreadsheet-for-your.html

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    1. Diane, I bet that IS what they are!!! I didn't even think of butter pats when I was trying to figure out what the heck something 3 3/4" could be. I am very lucky to have things from my grandmother. They are pretty and set me on a lifelong course of collecting antiques, but I love them because their presence in my home always brings her to mind. I like that you are doing the same for your grandchildren. I will check out the Tablescape Times Three blog. Thanks too for the tip for a possible solution to my inventory woes...

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  3. Oh, Diane, what a treat to read your post this morning! Your tablescape is absolutely lovely and it was so interesting to learn the background of your treasures. I especially LOVE your crystal pattern: delicate, intricate and stunning. I, too, am very sentimental about family heirlooms, and I cherish the ones I have. Thank you for a delightful way to start my day. Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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    1. Hi Rosie, thank you! I've been having a lot of fun putting together my first tablescapes this past month from things I have collected for years. If it isn't evident, I have pretty much kept everything since I was a kid, especially if it had any kind of sentimental value. I am a packrat LOL. I stopped by your blog and enjoyed your spring table setting too. Terri

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  4. Love the table for one and of course I love anything blue and white! Love your pitchers and the quote about fresh flowers -- If I can't get flowers at least I have real fruit on the table -- nothing "faux" for me!

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    1. Hi Martha, I like blue and white too. It is classic and always looks so fresh. I also seem to be drawn to anything that is floral too. I stopped by your blog and enjoyed what you put together this week - I love that you include the food!

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  5. Terri,
    I am so happy I stopped by your blog. Your tablescape is amazing! I love that you treasure & use your vintage & antiques treasures. I do too! I love when bloggers let us know the history of their treasures. Your dishes are beautiful and your crystal is stunning. ! I love blue & white pitchers too!
    Your table is elegant.....a perfect setting for all your beautiful heirlooms!
    Blessings My Friend,

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    1. Hi Elaine! I saw your blog this morning and really liked that blue and white pitcher on your table too. I am so glad that you stopped by today and left such nice comments.

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  6. Terri, your setting for one is exquisite, and I find your family room charming. Love the sunlight streaming in. You have many lovely treasures. I smile at the thought of your grandmother giving you a set of parfait glasses when you were a teen, and that planted the seed for your pursuit. I'm much the same kind of sentimental collector.
    Nice to meet you. Love the name, Aspen Hill.

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  7. Sarah, I am so glad you stopped by. It is nice to meet you too. I saw your blog earlier this week, and made myself a note to keep an eye out for more of your posts. Several things stood out to me. First was the overall feeling of it, and more specifically were the antiques like the Hubley garden rabbit and the ironstone pitcher full of redbud blossoms. My other passion is gardening, and it is rare that I am able to find vintage garden ornaments like your wonderful rabbit. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to leave them!

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  8. Just lovely, HollyAnnS

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