I can remember these plates from when I was little.
My great grandfather traveled to NYC and when he liked something, he bought every piece for his beloved Mabel Wallace, my Mimmie. My mom was their favorite. She was the only grand daughter, so she received most of the china. This has been in my mom's china cabinet for as long as I can remember.
Her formal living room is covered in the most beautiful Persian rug from my great grandfather's shopping tours. He had a great eye for style. They lived in the most beautiful house near the bayous of Monroe, Louisiana. My mom would stay with them and adored her grandparents. She has told me some of the best stories.
My great grandparents died when I was in grade school, so I mostly have memories. It's so nice to have some concrete things to make those memories come back. My brother is using my Mimmie's kitchen table and chairs in his house. I have her card table and some of her silver. My mom has many beautiful things that I get the privilege of borrowing often. I'm half a mile a way and she is very generous.
I was debating to even layer the plates...The pattern on the ironstone is intriguingly beautiful!
I was testing out dishes for Thanksgiving. We are having some extra guests, so I don't usually have to plan for 12 formal settings around my table and a folding banquet table...so this is one of my options. I realized later, some of the pictures were taken before I put the napkins down.
The B is for Becker and the W for Wallace. My grandmother was Jane Becker Wallace.
By the way...do you have any idea what the name of this pattern is?
It is Mason Ironstone.
That's all we know. That is imprinted on the back, but nothing else. I believe it was bought in the 1920s-1930s but I'll ask my mom for sure.
The salad / luncheon plates are also my mom's Thomas of Bavaria. My mom is graciously letting me use the turkey platter, gravy tureen, covered vegetable dish and more but those are safe (from my boys!) in her china cabinet.
This week I used...
Linen tablecloth from Romania
Water Goblets from Marshall's
Wine Glasses from Pier One
My grandmother's silver
Napkins and napkin rings from Target
Wow Meredith, are you kidding??? GORGEOUS!!!! Those are breathtaking plates! Love the layering with the smaller plates also. And what a great mom you have!! I use mine a lot and the dinner plates are great chargers for older vintage dinner plates, which are smaller. The staining worked well, I just wish I could have gotten water based. Maybe where you are you can find that and it will be a much quicker process. Thanks for stopping by!!!
ReplyDeleteMeredith, that beautiful china can definitely stand alone...just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your heirlooms with us...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous posting; your china is fabulous, as is your tablescape.
ReplyDeleteYour family's Mason's ironstone is 2die4. You are so lucky to have it and it is so nice to hear how much you cherish it and your grandparents.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent Mason's Ironstone pattern. Family treasures are just always the best. Your tablescape is gorgeous, and I adore every single detail. Tonight you took my breath away. Thank you for inviting us for a peak at your beautiful design. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteLoved the dishes and the sweet story on where they came from. Really beautiful, Laura Cottage and Broome
ReplyDeleteLove the red stemware! Great table and love the plates.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dishes--even better they are a family heirloom
ReplyDeleteI love the china! What a wonderful thing to have passed down to you.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm sure those are a small fortune NOW! What gorgeous plates! They can easily go from season to season too! My favorite tablescape today!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutelly stunning china dear Meredith... your greats had and what a gorgeous tablescape you made in their honor; I just loved the story about them, with mother we have enjoyed so much looking and reading about it! You've set a fabulous and elegant table I love every detail. I will come back to see it again! Happy Thanksgiving. Just dropped from TT at Susan's.
ReplyDeleteFABBY
There's no number printed on the back? Have you peeked in on Replacements, Ltd. to see if you can find it there? There are about 75 entries for Mason's on Replacements. Maybe you can thumb through those. Or Bill from Affordable Accoutrements might know. That is a magnificent pattern and I know you would love to get a name attached to it! Your grandfather had impeccable taste indeed!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the wonderful family story about the Mason's Ironstone. The best source for information I know of is Canterbury Antiques on Henderson in Dallas. He is retiring and everything is 50% off. He knows everything about Mason's and the older Ashworth mark that manufactured both. The pattern seems to have the transfer outline and then hand painting of the bright colors and a heavy application of gold. It is a lovely pattern and a wonderful family heirloom. You might find more info by looking at Ashworth patterns. Happy Tablescaping! Pam
ReplyDeleteYour Mason's Ironstone is beautiful. I can see why you hesitated to use a salad plate, but it's beautiful, too. It's always lovely to enjoy family treasures and sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Babs