Star-Spangled Settings

This year’s Independence Day table setting centered around a new table runner with red and white stripes and blue stars outlined in gold.

Also on the table is a ceramic tray in a flag-inspired design



At the opposite corner is a flag design napkin holder containing extra paper napkins with flag motif.


The Napkin rings are Red Wood Stars holding “Porcelain Blue” cloth napkins.



The dinner plates are “Liberty Blue,” a Staffordshire transferware pattern made in England for the U.S. Bicentennial. Each item has a different historical illustration. (See the list of Illustrations at the end below.*)
The plates are set on white lacquer chargers. The goblets are Fostoria “Virginia” in dark blue:


As centerpiece I used two milk glass candlesticks with red taper candles on either side of a “Liberty Blue” covered bowl. Nearby are matching salt and pepper shakers.

The Sideboard or Buffet continues the star-spangled theme.
On a round woven placemat, a large hurricane globe holds a white pillar candle on ruby red pressed glass candleholder surrounded with wood flag motif stars. Sprinkled outside on the mat are larger wood stars. Behind it all is a large “Liberty Blue” oval platter in front of a much larger porcelain tray from Portugal. A spray of stars and flags is placed between the two platters.



The tea service includes the “Liberty Blue” teapot, sugar and creamer. On the teacup stand four “Liberty Blue” teacups feature Paul Revere’s Ride. Red ceramic strawberries add a touch of color to the saucers.




*FYI – The illustrations on the Liberty Blue dishware are as follows:
Dinner plates – Independence Hall
Oval Vegetable Dish - Minute Men
Round Vegetable Dish - Fraunces Tavern
Covered Vegetable Bowl – Boston Tea Party
Gravy Boat – Lafayette’s Landing at West Point
Gravy Stand – Governor’s House, Williamsburg

Teapot and Lid – Minute Men
Creamer – Paul Revere’s Ride
Covered Sugar – Betsy Ross
Cups – Paul Revere’s Ride
Saucers – Old North Church
Large Platter – George Washington Crossing the Delaware

I am joining the following blog events:

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch where we can enjoy more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Suzanne with Vintage Thingies Thursday at Coloradolady.
Cindy’s Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Royal Commemoratives: ERII

Often in visiting other blogs we are reminded of something which we might share for our weekly blog events. For some weeks now, Miss Kathy at The Writers Reverie has been sharing her antique royal commemoratives, and it reminded my of my collection of British royal commemorative items.

For today’s post I am sharing some commemorative items relating to Queen Elizabeth II. All items were made in England and they include items that are now vintage since they span her many decades long reign.

These items are all displayed on a small two-shelf unit just inside my bathroom.

This is the top shelf with a small plate commemorating the coronation in 1953, a framed postcard portrait, and a cup and saucer celebrating the coronation:

This is the bottom shelf, with another vintage teacup and saucer, and a lovely mug:

This bone china coronation teacup and saucer was made by Rosina. The design on the front has a beautiful emblem with a cameo portrait of the queen and royal mottoes.

The back illustration reads "Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II June 22nd 1953". (Sorry the photo is not clear.)

The teacup has fluting all around and its lovely slim handle curves into a point.

The saucer repeats the illustrations from the cup and has a graceful scalloped edge outlined in gold.

A second coronation commemorative teacup and saucer is by Adderley and it is also of bone china. The front shows the royal shield with a cameo portrait of Elizabeth II:


The back illustration is of the cipher "ERII"

The saucer repeats the two graphics from the cup. It is edged in shallow scallops and gilt-edged:


Next is a small plate commemorating the 1953 coronation. I got this at a flea market where I pointed to a dish drainer full of various dishes and called out to the owner as to how much they were. He said "50 cents each." So I picked out this lovely 5-inch plate by Alfred Meakin:

The inscription under the flags around the plate states, "Crowned June 2nd, 1953." Under her photo it reads, "She Reigns."

Here is the vintage postcard of the young beauty, in a stunning portrait by distinguished photographer, Dorothy Wilding in 1952. I framed it in a gilt metal frame from a thrift shop:

An earlier black and white photograph shows young bride Princess Elizabeth with groom Philip, Duke of Edinburg in November 1947.

More recent commemoratives celebrate her silver jubilee in 1977. On the back of this small plate is inscribed 1977/ The Queen’s Silver Jubilee" and "Pride of Britain/ Silver Jubilee Souvenir/ Produced by/ Wood & Sons/ England/ Potters for 100 years.

Also for the silver jubilee is a bone china mug by Ashley.

Next is a deep blue with white Wedgwood jasperware small dish. It depicts the Queen in profile with a banner reading "1957 Silver Jubilee 1977"

For her diamond jubilee in 2002 I have a small covered box with her portrait. The box is white banded in blue with gilt garlands. Inside her portrait is repeated. The bottom inscription reads: "the queen’s Golden Jubilee 2002/ Edwardian/ Fine Bone China/ Made in England:

I am linking today’s post to:
Table Top Tuesday hosted by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life .
Tea Cup Tuesday, is co-hosted by Martha at Martha’s Favorites and Terri at Artful Affirmations.

Tea For Two Tuesday at the Plumed Pen.
Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday with Wanda Lee and Pam at The Silken Purse and at Breath of Fresh Air.
Tea Party Tuesday at Sweetology.
Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage.
Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor
Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser’s Blog.
Vintage Thingie Thursday with Suzanne at Coloradolady.
Thrifty Thursday with Leigh at Tales From Bloggeritaville.

Black and White Setting

Although we’re into fall now I still have not taken out my fall things; so today’s table setting is in black and white with green highlights. I wanted something fairly cool and serene, yet with a bit of dramatic contrast.
The linens consist of one Waverly "Country Life" Toile in black on cream runner with black tassel at each end, and four Waverly "Country Life" Toile in black on cream oval placemats with striped fabric on reverse. The napkins are white with a black scroll design.

The black and white theme started with the Royal Stafford checked bowls. They are set on Bordallo Pinheiro "Cabbage"dessert plates, which in turn rest on vintage cream Wedgwood Etruria "Edme" dinner plates. The silverplated flatware is the 1941 vintage Holmes and Edwards "Youth."

To go along with the clean looks of black on white I decided on clear glass accessories. Three pairs of clear crystal candlesticks with green taper candles, and two tulip shaped votives with green votives form the centerpiece with green hydrangeas from a previous table setting.

Next are four Durand "Vendange" goblets and four vintage footed glasses in etched crystal w black/ amethyst base.

A set of four crystal salt cellars and tiny spoons add more sparkle:

A pressed glass butter dish and "Youth" butter knife rest on a doily on a shell-shaped black glass dinner plate.

Four fabric napkin rings in the Waverly "Country Life" toile are supplemented by rectangular silverplated napkin rings.

The full place setting

I am joining

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch ,where we can enjoy more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Suzanne with Vintage Thingies Thursday at Coloradolady.

Cindy’s Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.