My Mom's China

[48bencix]

I have my Mom's china. It is a Saracuse pattern made from 1949 until 1967 in the USA. It is called Old Ivory Blue Laurel. Since we used it on holidays, and yes, she did put it in the dishwasher a few times, some of it was cracked and chipped. I have thought about getting replacements which are available, but are expensive. Yesterday at a local thrift shop, we found a set that matched. I have some platters and other pieces, but the new set has a lot of coffee cups and some small bowls that I need. Now I have 24 plates and 16 cup and saucer sets.

Martin

 

[48bencix]

Individual plate

Here is a close up of the dinner plate.

 

[48bencix]

And our dining room light

We found this light at an antiques fair. It can be pulled up and down. Our family had a similar one, so that brings back memories too.

Check the link for all of the shapes available in this china pattern.

http://search.replacements.com/texis/search?order=ClientCount-d&query=sherwood blue laurel

 

[polkanut]

I had the same experience last fall with my grandmother's china. We inherited her set of Fine China of Japan "Rosemary" #5555 several years ago. We needed some serving pieces, and a couple of dessert plates. Well, I happened to stop at one of our local thrift stores and they had a service for 8 for $40. Let me tell you that was the fastest money I've ever spent.

http://www.replacements.com/webquote/FCJROSEM.htm

 

[tomturbomatic]

I am so happy for you. Thank you for sharing this happy event. This find sort of helps reunite you with your mom and brings back memories of happy or at least festive times. When we had people over to dinner, our family dynamics were usually at least muted or diluted. To this day, the fragrance of coffee combined with that of candles smoking after being extinguished brings back the bittersweet memories of the endings of these happy occasions. I still have the beautiful Inland hand blown glass carafe with the silver neck in which the fresh perked coffee was served with dessert.

Is the fixture by Lightolier?

 

[mixfinder]

Celebrating the Hunt

The dishes are very nice. It is amazing and exciting to find the rare treasure at a "bon marche". Having company is my favorite pastime and casually pulling out service for 24 usually makes the guest's chin drop. Yahoo for you!

 

[48bencix]

Lightolier

Thanks for the nice comments. I do not think this fixture is a Lightolier. I had to take it apart to fix the cord going into the "winder" and didn't see any label. I think Home Depot had a similar one for a while.

 

[whirlcool]

Those pull down lights were VERY popular in homes built in the 59-63 time frame. We had one in the new house we moved into in 1962. All of the neighbors had them too in the dining area in the kitchen.

 

[spiceman1957]

Martin,

These dishes are absolutely beautiful. I love the pattern. I have my late mother's china (or nice dishes) that she got through our local grocery store (Food Lion). I believe she started collecting them in the mid to late 70s. Each week, a piece would be on sale and you could add to your set. I know these are grocery store dishes, but I wouldn't take anything for them. I would like to add a note here. There is a place in my area called Replacement Limited in Greensboro, NC. You might contact them or via the web and see if there are other pieces of your china that you can add to.
John

 

[toggleswitch2]

Gotta love your pattern! It's NOT pink and not too floral. More of a daisy-chain though.

 

[polkanut]

John "Spiceman",

Could you post either a pic or a link to show us what your pattern looks like?

 

[polkanut]

Replacements.com is a nice resource to have available, but I've found that their prices are quite high.

 

[spiceman1957]

Polkanut,

This is a picture of my late mother china (or the good dishes)
This set of 10 actually came from a local grocery store back in the late 70s and early 80s. Each week you would add to you set.
John

 

[polkanut]

John,

What is the name of the manufacturer, and the pattern? Yours look very similar to mine.

 

[gadgetgary]

John

I also have that pattern of China.

Mine is China Garden Prestige.

 

[spiceman1957]

GadgetGary and Polkanut,

WOW, these dishes are indeed China Garden. Proof again, its a small world. The name of the pattern is "Prestige". How did you two acquire your dishes?
John

 

[gadgetgary]

John

Got mine years ago.

Really don't remember where they came from.
Could it have been Service Merchandise?
If it was a grocery store, what store could hit have come from?

 

[spiceman1957]

The grocery store

was originally called Food Town (based in Salisbury, NC) then the name was changed to Food Lion.
John

 

[estatesale_gary]

What's wrong with pink?

I have a few sets of dishes out for everyday use. This is one of them - Red Wing Fantasy - 1952 - 1955. I just hope that 13th guest doesn't want cream soup.