Tablescape: Creating Olde World Romance

 

 

For this week's tablescape, I am showing  an olde world look. About 20 years ago, I purchased two Point de Venice or perhaps Point de France lace tablecloths which I believe were made in Brussels, Belgium around the turn of the century. There is a possibility that one is Italian but I am not sure.  I bought one from a dealer's shop in La Conner, WA who said she got it from a Massachussets estate. The other one I purchased at an antique show in San Francisco. I am not sure when the craze for oriental things took place and I have not researched this in a lace book but I do have Anne Kraatz's Lace History and Fashion book to look through when I get the time.  One of the tablecloths has ovals of Geisha girls and Lotus flowers.

 

This photo is of a close up of the Geisha girl.

 

This photo shows the ovals surrounding a central panel. You can also see the very fine spider web threads that hold the panels together.

 

Here you can see the Lotus flowers in the central panel. I have no expertise in lace making, but I do believe these are mostly machine made since machines were technical enough in the 1800's to do this work.

 

Since neither of the two tablecloths is large enough to cover my table and drape to the floor, I have used one lenghwise and one crosswise.

 

You can see the edges at the corners of one laying on top of the other. Underneath both is a beige solid color cloth. You can also see I still am using my French aubuson flat-weave rug in the dining room. These are now out of style and you don't see them in decor magazines like you used to a few years ago.  I have not switched mine out to something else yet and I do think it goes with the olde world look.

The tablecloth on the bottom is done with a heavier thread than the top one and it is done in a different style. It is long enough to go to the floor on both ends of the table but it is not very wide.

 

This one came with 11 napkins.

 

There were originally 12 napkins but one was stolen from the shop. The shop owner said that it was not young kids taking things, it was women between the ages of 65-80 who took odd things and walked out of the shop with them. I found this very peculiar as she was in that age range herself but had been a dealer for many years so she should know. Her shop was in a Victorian house not a mall.

 

Starting the tablescape, I am using a charger from JL Coquet in the Hemisphere Matte Gold pattern. I use this charger alot because of its large diameter.

For the service plates, I am using these courting couples plates. I think they add the note of romance. This table setting would be good for a party celebrating the wedding of an older couple, perhaps a second marriage.

 

Here is a wider view of the service plates on the table.

 

There are four different scenes in the center on the 16 plates to the set. They are Czechoslovokian and each has the couple in a different pose.

 

I am continuing the lace look with the dinner plates which have a central medallian that has that look.  

 

These are made in Limoges, France.  Nathan Straus & Sons is written on the back. He had a store at 119 Fifth Avenue in New York City and was a co-owner of Macy's in 1896.  All of the plates are in mint condition so probably were never used by the family that owned them.

 

 

To create the centerpiece, I looked around the house to see what I could find that had that Euro look.

 

I used a large oval brass edged mirrored tray and put an antique dressing mirror, opera glasses, a statue of Marie Antoinette and a pair of gold and crystal candlesticks on the tray. The opera glasses were a gift from my sister and the candlesticks my husband inherited from his mother.

 

The sterling pattern I've chosen to use for this table is Durgin's Chrysanthemum. 

 

I think the intricate pattern introduced in 1893 fits well with this olde world look. The knife is an English bone handled one. I don't have Chrysanthemum pattern knives as the blades were silver plated which wore out so few survived over the years.  

 

The backside of the sterling pieces is even more wonderful than the front side.  The salad forks are monogrammed with the date of 1908 probably when they were given as a gift.

I am using three pieces of stemware. 

 

From left to right: Rick Strini in Iron Gold Bella which is mouth blown. Strini's shop was in Santa Monica until he moved his business to Hawaii. Strini Art Glass is now best known for Rick's chandeliers.  Look at his website.  Next is an antique Venetian stem in a very pale green with "lace" gold design. I presume someone visiting Venice brought the set back home with them. On the right is a Tiffin stem wine. I don't know the pattern name. My husband inherited a couple from his Mom and then I added to them.

For dessert plates, I am using a vintage English Wedgwood plate.  The pattern has a lace look to coordinate with the lace tablecloth.

 

Here is a wider view of them on the table.

 

The olde world look can get a bit "heavy" looking, so I try to update it with a mix of newer pieces such as modern stemware and chargers.

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

 

To see all the entries after 9:00PM Eastern Wednesday evening, go here:

 http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

All the best to you,

Summer

Photos: Swede

Comments

[mbh4628@hotmail.com]

This is all so old world elegant. Nice job. Love your creative centerpiece.

[Fabiola Alba]

Absolutelly palacial, fit for a Queen! The dishes, the stemware, flatware and linens are stunning! Another extra ordinaire tablescape Swede.

FABBY

[Betsy Moss]

Very elegant! Your china and crystal are exquisite! Your table is put together so beautifully! The lace tablecloths are lovely!! Gorgeous!

[Alycia Nichols]

I just LOVE the Old World look. It always has such a richness about it. Makes you feel like a queen! You're right...this WOULD be beautiful for a wedding feast...for ANY age. There are a lot of young women out there today who really hold an appreciation for this look. Your sterling flatware is absolutely the epitome of g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!!! The detail on it...wow!!! I am bowled over by the stemware, too. Each different, but well-placed beside the other. Beautiful! And I simply can't get over those candlesticks! Very elegant! Great table!!!

[Entertaining Women]

The Rick Strini stemware totally elevates your tablescape to a work of art. They are gorgeous! The Durgin sterling is also so incredibly elegant and special. You already know that I am a huge fan of your vintage table linens; we could have a marvelous time collaborating! The whole tone of the centerpiece was perfect because it brought to mind an antique cameo brooch...so nicely conceived and executed. Thank you for sharing your beautiful design. Cherry Kay

[Marie Arden Pink Living.blog]

I love it. I am planning a Marie tablescape too and loved seeing your version. Those wavy edged plates are so perfect and so over the top. I love the small statue of her. Tres bien

[Babs]

Absolutely stunning!

[Linderhof]

A very pretty table -- adore those tablecloths!