Greetings, tea drinkers! Are you as excited about the impending nuptials of Wills and Kate -- pardon, I mean
Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton -- as we are? In a couple of days it will all be history, but for now it is still mystery... To join in the general gaiety we thought some
Royal teaware would be appropriate, and rummaging in our archive we found this sweet example for you...
Royal Crown Derby (Staffordshire, England), the
BEAUMONT pattern, from the second half of the 20th Century. Fine bone china; vermillion transfer with cobalt, light blue, and red enamels, plus delicate gilding on the edges and cup handle.
{discontinued pattern}
This is a bright, modern expression of teaware in the classic Imari colors, with a wide-open cup shape and scalloped-edge saucer. There is even a wreath of subtle raised flourishes in the base clay, along the lip of the cup and edge of the saucer, which you only see when holding the set at certain angles.
Totally fabulous!, Although the colors and shapes are bold, there is nothing flashy about this pattern, and being
Royal Crown Derby (say it "Darby," please) it is beautifully made and meant to look good for all time.
On Friday 29 April we plan to hunker down in the pre-dawn hours to watch, or at least listen to, the broadcast of the Royal Wedding because, hey, whyever not? These kids are kind enough to welcome the entire universe into their ceremony, and it would be rude of us not to attend, even if our "morning suit" is old sweatpants and a T-shirt. Our teaware, as you can see, will be absolutely elegant, as will the tea we shall drink from it --
Fortnum & Mason's Royal Blend (Ceylon/Assam), now available only by direct purchase from F&M in London, ooh (our purple-caddy stash is "mature" but has been well-stored and will be just fine thank you)... So hat's on
OR off for Royal Wedding Week -- I am brimming with joy for the happy couple, and for everyone else who is declaring love and loyalty to another {now giving my darling Trix a squeeze}.
Practicing our Royal waves and blowing extra kisses to you all (whether you are caught up in RW mania or not),
xo
Dustin & Trixie
Oh God, I just spent an entire HOUR in the Royal Crown Derby website , drooling. I am humbly collecting the Wedgewood Cuckoo tea set. You ought to look this one up it is very TEA. But I LOVE the Antionette teacup and saucer but having seen the price, I now must go to bed. Something lovely to have as a one piece wonder for that special cuppa. I do love your china.
ReplyDeleteSee you in tea land and all that Cheerycup oh
with much affection, darling ( that's darling the Maggie Smith way, creme de la creme, aye)
Lady Helena. xo
Dustin chimes in: Cuckoo is amazing!! Tried to order us some cups & saucers just now but wouldn't ya know it, it's on backorder... will keep searching. You just keep on collecting it, Lady H, for it is very pretty and even looks comfortable to use (not always the case -- and we prefer useful items).
ReplyDeleteYes re: RCD Antoinette, one might mortgage one's castle for some of that; but the eagle-eyed can sometimes snag a set in the usual auction & reseller's havens...
Trix (lately preferring to be called Lady Rose Dolph-Woodbine) curtsies from the scullery in reply to your kind compliment about our dishes, which she must wash and stow because I am so fuddle-fingered -- but I can do a mighty Royal wave, which I do now in your direction (flap flap flap),
xo, D.