Grandma's China (A Happy Surprise)

When M and I bought our house, my Mom offered to give me Grandma and Grandpa's furniture---the only catch was the I had to take a set of china with me.  Silly me, but I resisted the offer for a while.  I just could not fathom any more moving.  When I finally decided it was time, Mom kindly reminded me of the strings that were attached to the offer.  Mom recommended that I take her Mom's china as it was very simple and she thought it would suit our taste.  I did not realize at the time what a treasure Mom had offered me.  

A few days before the scheduled move, I went over to wrap up the china and clean out any items that were currently in the buffet.  I could not help but smile as I began to pull pieces of china out---the china was perfect---well, really beyond perfect.  I loved everything about the china, from the simplicity, line, and shape of the china.  I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

After the big furniture move, I could not help but smile again as I carefully put away my Grandma's china in her buffet.  See my Grandmother passed away when I was really little (I think that I was only 4).  My memories of my Grandma are from a very little kid's point of view.  I remember the smell of apples that she would cook for breakfast.  I remember watching her in the garden.  I remember flying with K on the airplane and I remember getting carsick on the way to my Grandparents house.  I have all these little sweet memories (well most of them---I do not recall the motion sickness being very pleasant) of my Grandma, however, I did not get to know her as a grown up.  Having this little piece of her in my home makes me feel like in a weird way I have finally met my Grandma as an adult (and I like her style!).

In this photo (which was taken by K--both photos were actually) you can see the buffet.  I really just heart it so badly. (I think it's okay for me to say that since I am not really complementing myself, but my good fortune).  In the upper hand corner you can see a snippet of the Japanese teacup collection that was from my other Grandmother.  Truth be told, my house, just like me, is made up of many pieces (a chair, a table, a bookcase, a painting) from my family.  Although I am (finally) at the point in my life where I could replace these items with things that I have picked out and purchased, I don't think that I would have it any other way.

~A

PS- There is a little mystery surrounding the china.  There are no marks anywhere that gives any indication on the who, what, or where the china was made.  Unfortunately, the sugar bowl and creamer did not survive their years in storage and I would love to find replacements.  Does anyone out there have any ideas or suggestions on where to look?  I borrowed a few books from the library and tried to do some online research and I have found nothing.

Comments

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

What a lovely reminder of your grandmother. And she did have amazing taste. Love the china cabinet and the china so much. I appreciate the china that was handed down to me but oi vey, it's busy to put it mildly!

[Bunnycakes A]

Thanks for all the suggestions. K was kind enough to send out a couple of emails to some the of the suggested websites. Hopefully we will solve the mystery.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[alissa]

such a sweet story, a. i wear my grandmother's charm bracelet and feel the same way you do!

xox!

[Jen]

I just wanted to say that I love your blog and am inspired by your creativity. I usually read it during my lunch hour and my co-workers and I are in awe of your attention to details and ability to put on such great birthday parties. We joke that we want you to be our mom :) Anyway, keep up the great work! Best of luck.

[karol]

i live down the street from replacements and i highly recommend them. you can send a photo and they can help you determine the origin of the china. good luck.

[Molly]

Those are really beautiful pieces.

I concur on Replacements Ltd. My mom has re-assembled much of her china collection with replacements of things that had broken over the years from their comprehensive collection.

[Dottie]

You might try emailing Replacements Ltd, with a link to your photos. Their address is

[email protected]

They may recognize the pattern. The serving bowls have a distinctive shape.