Tuesday 26 April 2011

Sweet Pea Tea!

I have missed blogging here for a couple of week's as life has been a bit hectic for me, not least needing to spend time in the veg patch getting things organised for the new growing season. With Easter weekend, I decided I had to make time for taking my pictures and for making a lovely chocolate cake for our Easter celebrations.

My choice of cup today is a gorgeous Royal Winton trio in the delightful Sweet Pea pattern. This is one of the most popular patterns for chintz collectors and as a result pieces always command a high price, so I was very pleased to add this lovely trio to my collection.



According to one of my chintz reference books, Collecting Royal Winton Chintz by Muriel Miller the pattern depicts "vivid blossoms of the sweet pea in colours of pink, deep blue, deep yellow and white" arranged against a background of leaves and tendrils. "The ground colour varies from a pale cream to a deep yellow/ochre".



Sweet peas are one of my favourite flowers and I have just planted some plants this last weekend in the hope of getting a lovely display of these flowers in the summer.



This set has a classically art deco design, a lovely deep saucer and a geometric handle.



Here is the backstamp. The pattern was introduced in 1936. Apparently Queen Mary ordered a teapot, a salad bowl and salad servers in this pattern in 1936. The Queen commended the pattern for "its fresh bright unity of colour". The teapot cost 2/- (10p) and the salad bowl and servers 3/6d (17.5p). Oh for a time machine to go back in time for some china shopping!


Here is the chocolate cake I made, this is egg and dairy free, including some of my favourite white chocolate buttons. I used a vintage pink plate for the cake, I think this colour always looks lovely for serving chocolate.


Here is my scrumptious teatime treat, served with decaffinated Earl Grey tea - served in the gorgeous warm sunshine we had over the weekend - perfect!


If you would like to know more about Teacup Tuesday, pop over to Terri's lovely Artful Affirmations blog here or at Martha's blog here. You can find links to other people participating in Teacup Tuesday on these blogs too.

Thank you for popping by my virtual cabinet again this week.

Elaine

8 comments:

  1. This is such a beautiful tea cup and dessert! I am a HUGE fan and new follower. thank you for the trivia as well!

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  2. Gorgeous! What a beautiful cup! I am sure it is very valuable. Must be from before 1920. Your tea time with that delicious looking cake must have been really special!
    Thank you so much for sharing with us.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  3. Beautiful Cup and saucer!
    AND the cake.....please!!! I'd love some.

    God bless,
    d

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  4. What a lovely teacup! the colors are beautiful. And your cake looks wonderful!

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  5. Love your blog...teacups just make me smile and chintz...just the best. Check out my new blog. I have been collecting teacups for the last 11 years to use as favors for my daughters Bridal Shower. They came out great. I wonder if I gave away anything valuable...lol Linda

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  6. That is a lovely chintz teacup trio. The pattern and shape is great (love the handle).

    Your chocolate cake looks very rich and delicious.

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  7. How cool is this blog!!!

    I'm originally from The Potteries so grew up surrounded by Wedgewoods, Doultons, Woods,etc and potbank kilns were part of the scenery from the top deck of the bus when travelling to college.
    Loved reading this...had a grin throughout.

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  8. Another charming teacup! Mmm, the cake sounds wonderful :)

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