Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Grandma's Transferware

Among the treasures I came home with from the storage unit, I found a set of four place settings of blue transferware.  I've seen several tablescapes using transferware and I was really starting to think I needed some.  Lucky!  I don't think these dishes were actually my Grandma Carol's - I never saw them at her house.  Maybe they're older than I think?

I used Bridget's little table in our front room (good light) to set this lovely table for four:

The pewter plates under the transferware are from my collection.  See why I was thinking I need my own transferware?  They look great with pewter. :)
That is definitely Grandma's flatware - Oneida's Dover pattern.  There were 10 full place settings among the boxes.  See how lucky?  Now I'm just showing off.  For my sisters.  (Sorry if anyone else is sick with jealousy right now.)

The goblets were also Grandma's.  They're not fancy or expensive, but I really like the shape.  Also, I made the table quilt underneath.

Maybe some of you are wondering what the heck this thing is - I know I was.  I took a photo of the inside (which only raised more questions for me), but you could see my ridiculous reflection in it, so it got cut from this post.  (I just noticed I can see myself in the spoon.  Boooo.)  It's a butter dish!  Inside there is a plate with a hole in the middle and under the plate you put ice so the butter stays cold.  This is truly an antique - a Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. butter dish from the late 1800s.


Any transferware experts out there, what's the story with this set?  I've tried looking it up, but I'm extremely easy to distract these days, so I can't remember and I don't have time to do it again.

When Bridget saw her table in our front room and the plates and the flatware, she hopped to it and got Grandma Carol's spoon collection for a photo:
See, it's just a normal day around here - a little cleaning, some cooking, laundry, piano students...  Those are her every day jewels.  When you have class, you have it all the time.

 Go to Between Naps on the Front Porch and check out some more beautiful tables.

23 comments:

amylouwhosews said...

It's a good thing you don't live that close to your sisters (right?). I'd be jealous. Wait! I AM jealous! Awesome table setting.

Mom said...

So awesome! I knew it would look fantastic on your new table topper.:) Just wait til you get the teacups and matching glasses. We'll have to look into polishing the butter dish - isn't it neat? I'm so happy with my new runner, btw.

Red Couch Recipes said...

That transferware is just so cute and I love the butter dish. You better go back to the storage unit and see if you missed anything! Joni

Marigene said...

Beautiful tablescape. I love blue transferware. Really cool butter server.

melissa said...

You are absolutely killing me.

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Very pretty Nasco pattern. That butter dish is wonderful! I love the cow on top! Stop by my blog sometime...it's all about transferware. I enjoyed your blog and your tablescape is gorgeous!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Nicole, I love this vintage and inviting table. How wonderful that you could use so many family treasures. And you are a talented girl- your quilt is so pretty. The colors and different fabrics make it one-of-a-kind!

I love your grandmothers transferware. The blue works so well with the quilt.
That butter dome is fabulous! I have never seen anything quite like it. I would love to have one of those.

Now do you get to keep all of these family heirlooms? I see you have sisters. Or do you share? If you share could you adopt me? Dibs on the butter dome!
Yvonne

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Beautiful transferware! Your quilt is a wonderful background. Everything looks so pretty on your pewter and I LOVE that butter dish -- wonderful treasures that must be so precious to you!

Beth said...

Gorgeous! Beautiful quilt - it looks great as a tablecloth and you are so lucky to have that transferware. I "need" some too!
Blessings, Beth

allyn said...

uummmm...are you keeping all of that? of course it looks perfectly fab on your table and pewter. i was just wondering if it was just for show.
if that transfer is from japan, maybe uncle wayne brought it home from his mission? i don't know.

Tricia said...

Wow, if *I* had made that gorgeous quilt, I would have mentioned it front and center! It really sets off the pretty blue transferware beautifully -- and I covet those pewter chargers!

Jill said...

I love the treasures you can find in old attics and such. You really hit the jackpot! Love the tablescape! I dig that sort of thing.

Denise Marie said...

What spectacular treasures!! Your daughter is gonna think she hit the jackpot. I'm jealous! Salivating over your cow butter dish and transferware.

coloradogal said...

This is such an entertaining blog--thanks for the great pictures and commentary! Lovely quilt on the table, too...don't know if I would be brave enough to put it on the table after working that hard!

Jen said...

Gma would be so happy to know that it went to someone who would love it so much. What a gift:)

Sevenbeads said...

How lucky are you to have something so special that belonged to your grandmother? Wouldn't she be thrilled to know the dishes are being enjoyed by you and us too! Lovely table!

Joan said...

Your cow butter dish reminds me so much of my rabbit butter dish! Love your blue transferware. I am happy that you know the history of so many of your things. Stop by Applejack Lane sometime when you have the chance.

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi, Your table looks really great. The quilt is a pretty artwork, the transferware ist gorgeous and the butter dish, too. All together looks great.
Greetings, Johanna

Bette said...

I can't even say how much I love this table. You've inspired me to look thru my mom's dishes!

Maria said...

I, too, am beginning to think I need some transferware, especially after seeing your gorgeous table! You are a very, very lucky lady to have inherited so many wonderful pieces! It's so nice to see that your daughter is in on the action as well!

Katy said...

Ok, I AM jealous, but at the same time, I know that if it were at my house it would just sit in a cabinet or something, so Kudos to you for 'making it work". You have great taste and you put things together so beautifully!

Bonnie said...

Your quilt and the pewter are perfect to set off the transferware. Great idea.

This Belle Rocks said...

Love the pewter & transferware! You're right; they do look great together.