Friday, April 16, 2010

Violet Tea



I know I just posted about violets last week, but I thought I would show you these violet teacups that belonged to my mother. I am so lucky that my parents kept and passed on such cherished belongings.




I have a set of four cups and saucers. I think they are hand painted, and they have delicate gold rims. As you can see (below), they are also painted inside. They were made in Japan. There is no visible company or maker's mark on the bottom. They have got to be at least 50 years old, though, because I remember my mother using them when I was quite small.




The cups themselves are very thin and fragile. I'm almost afraid to use them myself. And after all, how many times do I really have the opportunity to use them? It's not like I'm serving high tea every afternoon.

But wouldn't that be fun? ;)




Pass the cucumber sandwiches, please. :)

I'm linking up to Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's beautiful blog, My Romantic Home. Be sure to visit Cindy and all the wonderful participants.

31 comments:

  1. I will come to your tea party. I will even bring the cucumber sandwiches and water cress sandwiches as a bonus.

    Seriously, though your mother passed on a beautiful set of cups.

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  2. Thank you for inviting me to tea today, I would love to take me tea from such a pretty cup.
    Have a wonderful weekend, see you on Monday.
    ~Maggie~

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  3. I love it when teacups have painting on the inside too. Even more precious. We really should be having high tea at least once a week! (Not you and I - we live too far apart. America in general. :))

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  4. With lovely tea cups like those, it would be a shame not to use them now and then. Don't forget to garnish your cake with sugared violets at your tea.

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  5. Very pretty...I love treasures inherited....smiles

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  6. These are so pretty~I love having things that remind me of growing up and my mother.
    I'd love to attend a tea party with these pretty cups!
    :) Sarah

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  7. These are very pretty, Mary.

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  8. Beautiful treasures, and lovely photos!
    Yvonne

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  9. They are so very pretty.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Becky K

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  10. The violet cups are so sweet and simple, Mary. Very pretty. I joined Cindy's Show and Tell for the first time today! Please visit me. Sincerely, Susan

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  11. Oh how lovely. They're so magickal. Like fairies would drink out of them! I'll be there with scones and some special tea, so we can also read the tea leaves to see our fortune. :)

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  12. love the cups and the photos really captured the beauty of the cups and silver spoon.. awesome

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  13. Beautiful cups. I love the blue color! Carla

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  14. I love all that I see here and if it's OK would like to put a link on my blog.

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  15. Just gorgeous. I love beautiful heirlooms and these are lovely. Hugs, Marty

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  16. thanks, lulu -- that would be great!

    thank you, everyone! :)

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  17. Mary, these are darling. And they hold such precious memories. Sometimes I think it would do us good if we did have afternoon tea every day. It would make us slow down. Maybe once a week would be more reasonable. It's a nice thought to dream on.

    - The Tablescaper

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  18. Hi Mary,
    My daughters and I recently had a tea party and it was great fun. We used delicate cups like yours and ate cucumber sandwiches, plus a lot of other yummy stuff. You should have a tea party when it gets warm and your flowers are blooming. You'll remember it always.
    Laura

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  19. what a pretty tea sets you got there. Have a great weekend.Nancy

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  20. Isn't it wonderful that our Mothers passed their treasures down to us. My Mother had many dainty tea cups in her buffet. It will be up to me to look for homes when my Dad decides to sell his home. I have my own collection which were shower gifts before I got married. I don't think they do that much anymore. They just sit in my hutch. I should get them out. Your little tea cups are precious Mary. Thanks for showing them to us. Valerie

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  21. You already know how much I love teacups and these are beautiful, Mary!

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  22. Oh, Mary, a cup of tea would be so nice right now! I am helping my daughter and her family pack up to move (near us!) and we are getting worn out! These violet teacups are special ~I love the ones I received from my grandmother ~they are cherished because they were hers.
    Blessings,
    Laurie

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  23. Those are truly lovely tea cups! You are so fortunate to live in the house you grew up in, surrounded by so many family treasures. Your house must be full of so many happy generational memories, like being wrapped up in a cozy quilt! Have a great weekend!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  25. Violets are so timeless. I love how delicate these are.

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  26. I love the violet teacups ......so classic!

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  27. The teacups are so dainty and the shape of the cup is beautiful. Tea would taste very special from them. Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend:)

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  28. Love them!! So simple but so beautiful!

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  29. I am stopping by to have a cup of tea with you... I love your pretty teacups. I think that you are a "reluctant" housewife is awesome! Made me smile~ If you have a moment stop by http://shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com/
    I am giving away are pretty rose teapot for the month of April!~
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!