Teatime Trivia

We all know the part tea has played in US history – the Boston Tea Party being the most famous and dramatic example of how important the stuff was to American colonists. After that, there was a gradual transition to coffee being the hot beverage of choice. In the last hundred years or so, tea made a huge comeback, especially in the South, in the form of an iced, sweetened beverage served in tall glasses, often with a lemon wedge perched on the rim.
The afternoon tea ceremony never really went away of course. It became a social ritual (primarily for cultured ladies). The development of electroplated silver serving pieces made it possible for families of relatively modest means to afford to own impressive silver teapots and serving trays.
One element of a typical tea service that’s often omitted today is the “waste bowl.” Wikipedia online dictionary tells us that:
“A waste bowl, or slop bowl, is one of the components of the traditional tea set. In modern times, the slop bowl is used to hold the discarded hot water that was used to warm the teapot. Earlier uses may have included emptying un-drunk cold tea into the slop bowl before refilling the cup with fresh, hot tea. “
I wanted to show you one of my more interesting recent Goodwill finds. I was drawn to the shape and picked up the blackened object. I turned it over and could make out the words “Reed & Barton” and “Winthrop.” I gladly paid the price of $2.99, rushed home to give it a quick polish, and then went to the Replacements, LTD website to see what I’d found. Winthrop was produced from 1850-1985. The Replacements price is $129.99. I almost felt guilty! But not too guilty.



I like the feet and the overall shape. I won’t be using it for a waste/slop bowl, but I think it will be beautiful used as a candy dish, a small serving piece, or as a container for a small bouquet of roses from the garden.
The boxed set of 1847 Rogers Brothers silverplated flatware includes 8 iced tea spoons, a lemon fork, and a sugar spoon. I purchased it on eBay to supplement some flatware I already had. I haven’t used it yet, but I like to take it down from the shelf and admire it from time to time.
Do you have things like that, things you just own because you love them, to use someday … or not?

Recent finds (bargains!)

I'd intended to focus on beautiful vintage items I've purchased at affordable prices, but I got sidetracked "confessing" my tendency to fall victim to dishaholism (is that a word?).


In the first photo, you'll see a lovely feather boa-y wreath. I saw it at a local Goodwill store priced at $5.99. I remember thinking it was just about the goofiest thing I'd ever seen ... and that I had to have it! It's in an odd little nook. The area can only be viewed from the stairway, and is accessed by passing through a closet and bending over to go through a low, angled door. The table was $50 at a local antique mall, and the decanters were purchased for $10 or less each at various estate sales. I think they're pretty displayed as a collection in the early morning light. I also like using them to serve wine at a dinner party (guests are unlikely to suspect that the wine was decanted from a bottle with a screw-on cap!). They're also nice for serving juice at an elegant brunch.



The mirrored tray on the bar was also a $5.99 Goodwill purchase. The decanter was $15.00 on the second day of an estate sales (that's when you usually get the best deals). The ice bucket was on sale for under $10 at an antique mall. Who cares if it has an "S" engraved on the side? I think monograms add interest and character to vintage glass, silver, and linens. We all have someone on the ol' family tree with an "S" name, right? "Dear Auntie So-and-So loved her beautiful things" (and she probably did!).

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The creamer and open sugar below were also a "day 2" estate sale purchase. They're sterling and in very good condition. I negotiated the price down to $15! They were quite tarnished, but a quick polish using Wright's Silver Cream (widely available and inexpensive) had them shining again -- not quite like new, because I carefully avoided removing the dark patina in recessed areas that shows off the decorative design elements.

They'll be great filled with cream and sugar cubes (I'll get to use the sterling sugar tongs I purchased at a downsizing sale last year). It will be even more fun to use them for small arrangements of flowers from the garden, wrapped candy on a guest room bedside table, or for q-tips/cotton balls in a guest bath.

I hope you'll comment and tell me about your own favorite "finds!"

Mojitos coming up later today. See you then!

Bill