The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics
My Grandma recently downsized to a new apartment, and wanted to pass on some things she doesn’t use anymore, and no longer had the space for in her new place. She asked if my sister and I would like some of her blue and white ceramics- and we both immediately said yes!
I have always loved blue and white ceramics. They are a popular style, and come from such far flung places around the world including Holland (Delft Tile) all the way to Vietnam. I love hand painted ceramics and am always drawn to crisp blue and white colours. I am always so amazed at the talent and detail that goes into them. I took a pottery course once. Suffice it to say, we will not be handing those pieces down through the generations. 🙁
I already owned this pitcher, which I purchased from Ten Thousand Villages last year, so I was very happy to add these beautiful new pieces, to create a small collection.
In my family we didn’t get much handed down in the way of clothes, like many vintage lovers I know, who have gotten dresses, hats and jewelry from past relatives. However, from both sides of my family, I have gotten dishes. Not all of them are antique, but they are each special, because they are a part of our family history. They will become heirlooms, even if they aren’t very old right now, like these pieces. Really, if you think about it, everything that is antique and old today, was at some point brand new. However, someone thought it was special enough to preserve. And so it will be with these. They will always remind us of our Grandma, and they will be preserved and passed down. And maybe someday, my distant great-great-granddaughter will be using this very same pitcher, or candy dish herself, getting ready to pass it down to the next generation too. It’s a nice thought anyways 🙂
Do you have any special collections? Do you have any pieces (of anything – not just dishes!) passed down from your family? If not, have you ever thought of starting a new collection of heirlooms yourself?
The blue teapot is my sisters, and the white one is mine.
Such a neat design for the candy dish.
I use this pitcher often, not as a pitcher, but as a vase! It makes a lovely vase for weedy roadside bouquets like the ones I picked here, or for pussy willow branches in the spring. It’ll probably be lovely for some evergreen boughs this winter too! And, on the right is the beautiful lattice design bowl of my sister’s.
The little teapot is a tiny little knick-knack that my Grandma gave me years ago. It is a favour that Red Rose used to include in their teas years ago!
The entire “collection”, (to date!)
November 19, 2016 @ 12:12 pm
What a beautiful little collection! I think it’s a great that you’ve gotten these little bits and pieces from different members of your family – clothes might be nice, but I think there’s a little more permanence in something like pottery.
November 21, 2016 @ 12:55 pm
Thanks Jessica! You are right in that clothes wear out more quickly if they are being worn often.
November 20, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
Your collection is so lovely! I used to work in an antiques shop and got to see some great Delft and flo blue pieces now and then. It’s wonderful that you’re intending to pass these down one day–I love when antiques have such a rich family history.
I don’t really collect anything, come to think of it! Perhaps books–I do love collecting those. The older, the better!
November 21, 2016 @ 12:55 pm
Working in an antiques shop must have been so interesting! And I agree about the books, I love old books too! That would be a really nice collection to have.
November 21, 2016 @ 5:50 am
Such utterly gorgeous colours! How lovely to have them.
November 21, 2016 @ 12:56 pm
They are so richly coloured aren’t they?
November 29, 2016 @ 10:36 am
Such a lovely collection! I do love blue and white china. I visited the delft factory recently and their collection was stunning!
November 29, 2016 @ 7:27 pm
Wow, that must have been absolutely beautiful to see in person! Delft tiles and pottery are so pretty.
December 2, 2016 @ 3:06 pm
Great start to your collection, it looks so lovely altogether here. I have a few treasured things passed down from relatives, my grandma’s sewing machine and knitting needle box, my Grandad’s wooden calendar and my great auntie’s vase. I love having them to use.
December 6, 2016 @ 3:06 pm
Items are just that much more special, aren’t they, when they are handed down from loved ones? That is so lovely that you have a few treasured items from family members, and I bet you look forward to the day you can pass them on too?
December 6, 2016 @ 3:55 pm
My niece commented on a pearl (fake) brooch I was wearing the other day, she is only 3 but was very taken by the feel of it. I made a mental note that it will go to her at some point!