Today's tablescape speaks a little French. At an antique show several years ago, I found a set of French Limoges fish plates sold in Paris. The shop's address is on the reverse at 94 Avenue de la Opera, Paris. I loved the border color which is a melon -- a cross between pink and coral. All 12 plates have the fish swimming in a different direction.
Items used in this tablescape include placemats made by Copperworx of Clinton, MS. I believe they are available in two finishes, mine are the patina selection that looks like aged copper but does not have the verdigris or green patina like copper aged outdoors. Photos do not do justice to these placemats. You have to see them in person. They are made with a thin sheet of copper attached to cork so they don't scratch your table. The animal spotted tumblers are by Slant available through Dillard's.
Here is a closer look at the copper placemat. It has a lot of character from the aged finish.
This charger also speaks French. It is Jaune de Chrome's pattern Flamenco. The reflective color of the glaze changes as light hits it. If you are a tablescaper who has not yet discovered this French porcelain maker, you are in for a real treat. Their glaze finishes are unlike anything on the planet. I don't know how to even describe them to you. It is just something you have to see in person. After I purchased the copper placemats, I realized I was going to have a challenging time finding just the right plates to use with them. I did not want to go to wood chargers or a more casual look. Jaune de Chrome was the perfect answer. You can see the unusual texture and coloration in the glaze.
For the dinner plate, I am using 1960's vintage Ripple pattern by English maker Royal Worcester. When RW made this, they were way ahead of their time for unusual gold textured surfaces on porcelain. This is the type of porcelain you are now seeing from the French manufacturers.
I purchased a silver two-piece fish service for 8 about 18 years ago at an antique mall north of Seattle that I have never been able to identify. As you can see, there are hallmarks on the knife blade but I cannot find them in a book. I can't even figure out what country they are from. I know they are not English or French. I think they are 800 continental Europe silver not 925 sterling or plate.
The silver fish set will just be used for appetizers and the fork will remain on the table for dessert. I do not own French sterling [hint, hint Santa Claus].
For the remainder of the meal, Gorham's St.Cloud pattern will be used. Notice I do not show teaspoons. Unless they come with a grouping of silver I am buying, I do not purchase them separately. I prefer the larger oval soup spoons. Teaspoons to me are too small to be very useful. The larger spoons work well for both soup and dessert. Also notice in this photo that you can see more clearly what I was talking about with the finish on the dinner plates being so unusual for 1960.
The napkins are Martha Stewart Collection thru Macy's in melon. I also love this color. It works well when I am in my coral mood. The napkin rings are Reba in a metal lattice Stratford pattern. They are from country singer Reba McEntire's home collection from Dillard's. I got these to spray paint another color but haven't done that yet.
For dessert plates, I am using another French Elite Limoges specialty plate imported for retailer Higgins & Seiter of New York. These all have hand painted birds on them which are identified on the reverse of the plate. I love the gold ruffle rim. These are good to serve cake. I have not been showing food in my tablescapes. These bird plates and fish plates are what I really enjoy working with because they add such an unique look to the table. As you must have figured out by reading my blog, I don't like using everything in the same pattern -- salad, dinner, soup, bread, etc. Very seldom will I purchase more than two pieces of a pattern unless I am getting an antique or vintage china set in bulk. If that is the case, I feel all the china should be kept together and not sold off separately. They have spent their lives together up until that point and I feel they should remain so.
This dessert plate has a Quail couple on it. The coral napkin brings out the coral coloration around the Quail. The charger and placemat bring out the browns on the birds.
For additional glassware, I am using this tumbler which is American pressed glass from 1907. I believe the pattern name is Wedding Band.
A cake for dessert will be served with this French sterling handled cake server sold in a store in Lyon, France. The functional end is gold plated.
I am very lucky to have the original box the server came in.
I love French tableware, but I must admit that I don't speak a word of French.
I am participating in Tablescape Thursday this week on the blog Between Naps on the Porch.
To see all the entries, go here:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
All the best to you,
Summer
Photos: Swede
