What's It Wednesday #6
There is nothing like curling up with a warm drink to get us through the winter. Legend has it that in the 8th century an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats would get friskier after consuming coffee cherries. Around the 11th century, the Arabians were roasting and boiling coffee beans. The tea plant originated from East and South Asia and was commonly used in 200 BC (The Qin Dynasty).
Coffee and tea are an essential part of hubby and my daily routine. We start our day with a great cup of coffee and immediately after work we reflect on our day over a robust cup of tea. You ever have a that special cup or mug that just makes coffee or tea taste even better? That's what these very cups do for me. On the weekend, this is the set I bring out for hubby and I to enjoy our coffee.
In the mid 20th century this beautiful post-war Japanese tea set was purchased by my grandmother. It is my absolutely favorite set because it has so much meaning.
This silver tilting teapot with wooden handle is covered with ornate, decorative engravings was one of the very first antiques I began to collect. Below the teapot is the burner which would keep the tea warm. Care to join me for a cup of chai?
I have to say that I am not really a chintz kinda girl. However, I am obsessed with this 1930s DuBarry by James Kent, of Staffordshire, England. I started this collection with this demitasse cup and saucer. I fell in love with this pattern after visiting Cindy at My Romantic Home.
Then I found that I have just fallen in love with many of James Kent's designs. I love roses so therefore I could not let this "Old Foley" tea set slip out of my hands. This company that produced this gorgeous china was established in England in 1897.
When I came across this beautiful stacking teapot, also made by James Kent in the "Chinese Rose" pattern, I totally fell in love. There is a beautiful bluebird sitting on the teapot which is at the bottom. The little teapot has a built in strainer inside the base of the spout. The creamer sits at the top with the lid and the middle section is the actual tea cup.
In 1950s England, the Midwinter pottery company was well known for their innovative tableware. One of the noted designers was Sir Hugh Casson whom I always loved as an architect, writer, and illustrator. The teapot on the left and the creamer on the right is from the "Riviera" collection and sandwich plate is from the "Cannes" collection.
So what happens if you don't like coffee or tea? Well there is always hot chocolate. Hot chocolate taste even better served from a beautiful hand painted porcelain chocolate pitcher. I tend to be partial to the Japanese and French ones.
Happy New Year everyone and may you continue to be blessed in 2012!!!
xoxoxo
Paula
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