Wednesday, February 9, 2011

As Time Goes By (teaparty in miniature for Tablescape Thursday)

Many years ago while snooping in an antique shop here in my city, I discovered a treasure, at least, one to me.  Across the dusty industrial type warehouse where this dealer kept his recent buys from Europe, my eyes spied a real keepsake.  After winding my way over to this "find" and examining it, I turned to the dealer and inquired about the price.  Wow.....a shock, for sure was the price.  How could something so small cost so much?  (I know you are laughing, as we have all been in that moment.) I knew in my heart that this was to be mine, but I had to get a plan going quickly.  I was a young mother with two little ones at home and did not have a lot of extra cash on hand.  However, I had a few antique things that might interest the dealer, and we worked out a trade plus the money that I did have.  After reading this post, you will know how I came up with the name for my new blog, Tea Party Everyday.

Here is the child's toy table from England that cast a spell over me.


The table is 9 inches long, 7 and 1/2 inches wide, and 6 and 1/2 inches tall.  I think it is made of mahogany wood .  Note the detail, including the skirt around the table top.  In my mind, I picture a father or a loving grandfather with vast knowlege of carpentry building this for a loved little girl.  I have no idea of the age of the "find" but I have owned it 38 years and it was considered an antique (by the price) when I purchased it.


Every lovely table deserves a nice tablecloth for special parties.  This vintage ecru cloth was found in a flea market "as is" and I have always wondered its original use. 




The table is set for a tea party using the best that I have in miniature form. 




The white charger with the gold rim is by Reutter from Germany.  Also, Reuter made the cream soup bowl and plate.  The flatware is not sterling but rather a pewter type metal with simple pattern.




The centerpiece is a collection of time pieces that I have collected.  I chose them to reflect the theme of the tea party, "As Time Goes By".  The china clock in the center is an Occupied Japan piece.  The aniversary clock and the French clock are estate finds but I don't believe them to be very old.







Note the times on the clock faces....each different.




The mahogany tea cart belonged to my daughter as a child, and it actually lives in her doll house which will be another story someday.  The china candlelabra by Reutter from Germany.  The cake was made for her doll house years ago, and although it appears yummy, it is probably a little stale.  The brass candlestick is one of a pair .  The chocolate cake is of the same vintage as the other dessert.



The little pewter compote, in the upper right of photo, is truly an antique from the 1930's.  I would imagine not many tiny objects like this survive time, as they are so easily lost.  The cutwork detail in the compote is very delicate.  The condiment set is also made of pewter but not very old.  The two vase like bottles are Limoges porcelain, and the yellow rose is hand formed.   I know you are wondering about the tomato soup cans........LOL....remember the soup bowls have a design of a tomato on them, also.  Tomato soup has always played an important role in my life.  When I was a little girl, my mom made me homemade tomato soup each time that I was sick.  And it became my favorite soup of all times.  My 91 year old mom makes the most delicious tomato soup in the universe!  While traveling on a river cruise in Europe with them four years ago, our ship docked in this quaint little German town, and we strolled to the downtown shops.  I found, to my delight, a store that was dedicated to miniatures and particularly Ruetter.  When I spotted the tomato china in a display case, I saw "my name" written all over it.  My mom teased me about buying it, but I am so happy that I did..........funny how memories are preserved !!!



The vinegar and oil cruets are from Germany and so are the tea pot, creamer and sugar, all made by Reutter.



If you look closely, you can see M. I. Hummel ( Maria Innocentia Hummel) etched in gold around the top of the teacup.












I wanted you to see where my tablescape "lives".

While taking photos of the tablescape, Mr. B. walks by and says, "That is cute, where do you keep it?"  I looked at him in disbelief..........duh.....in the living room where it has been for 38 years.  MEN

I hope you enjoyed the "As Time Goes By" tea party and will visit again.  There is always a touch of fantasy in my world.  Thanks for reading.

32 comments:

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Phyllis, I am laughing so hard at your last comment--men!! Yes, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I absolutely love this post. You have some treasures and the tomato soup story is special. My mother always made us drink warm milk with melted butter when we were sick. You were lucky to go to Europe with your parents so recently. Was that table a doll's table or was it a sample from a traveling salesman? I would love to see your daughter's dollhouse someday. Please post it for us! Linda

On Crooked Creek said...

Phyllis,
Thank you for your visit and sweet comment On Crooked Creek today! I have several little "mini" tea sets purchased from the Dollar Tree Stores years ago, but nothing as elegant as this! Adorable beyond words! Thanks for this darling little tea set post!
Fondly,
Pat

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady. Ever time I was sick my mom would make me Chicken Noodle soup.and tomato soup would make me get red all over !!!!
I love your Hummel tea set so sweet!! I love the part of your post where your Tablescapes is lives"""" I am also laughing !
I would like to thank you so much for your lovely comments on my Tablescapes for Valentine's Day !!
Im your newest follower on your blog. now~~ xxoo Diane

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Oh, Phyllis, how precious! I love your whole room, but your miniatures are exquisite! And you make dolls too? I am going to follow you and put you on my sidebar so that I can find you in a minute. (For the next week or so I have suspended my followers so that I can catch up with everybody and figure out who is who.)

Thank you so much for stopping by to say hello; your blog is wonderful.

Take care,
Kathy

vignette design said...

Men! haha. Love your little miniature tablescape! How adorable.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Hello Phyllis, very nice to meet you.
I am your newest follower. Your tea cups are delightful. How fun... You are a talented lady. I would be delighted if you followed me in return. Happy Valentine's Day. Linda

Honey at 2805 said...

This is just prcious. You vintage items are such treasures. Thanks for your sweet comment. I have just become your friend and follower and hope you might do same.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

That is just the sweetest little table. I reminds me of a salesmans sample. They used to have minitures of furnature etc. that they carried with them...traveling salesmen. They probably used them to get store owners to buy. This is what this exquisite little table reminds me of.
It's just precious and I completely understand your falling in love with it. I love little things. Always have.
Thank you for visiting me in this early morning hour. It is 1AM..where I am.
Have a wonderful day and thank you for sharing your tiny table setting with us! It was a treat to see it.
Mona

Marlis said...

Yep. men. I agree.. Love the mini landscape!! Oh my those little things are a delight. I love your collection. Thanks for dropping in to visit and leaving your kind comments. Happy
Thanksgivings!

Anonymous said...

Hi Phyllis! Oh, this is adorable! What sweet little tiny things!
Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Debbie said...

I love all your miniatures and was floored (probably a good word, too) when I saw the table on the floor in comparison to the rest of the room!

They were even smaller than I had been picturing as I looked at them.

The detail is amazing,and I really love that you found tomato soup cans, too. What are the odds of that?

This is really, really cute and such a fun inspiration for a blog.

I'll be back for sure!

Tricia said...

Phyllis, what a darling tablescape you created! I really enjoyed reading the story of how you obtained the table and all the pretty elements you've included. Thank you for visiting my table this week and your kind comments. I also love cherry vanilla ice cream -- and Cherry Garcia, which includes chocolate, if you haven't tried it!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Wow...what a typical Hubby statement!!! I totally understand...
I love your miniatures...I think you have to actually see some "real" miniatures to truly appreciate them. I built my daughter a dollhouse years ago and we furnished it by purchasing and making the furnishings...what a wonderful experience it was. I never got around to wiring it but I wish I had...
Hope you've had a wonderful sunny day!!!

Janet said...

Hi Phyllis, what a precious tablescape. Thanks for visiting and joining my blog. I'm your newest follower.

Dear Sweet Home said...

Your sweet comments on my blog today just made my day! You are too precious. I love your little tablescape. I hope you get to do a Cooking Club with your friends! It is lots of fun! If you want more details on how we organize ours, just let me know and I will email you! Have a great evening!I am your newest follower :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

How delightful this is! Your little miniatures are so pretty, and that table is a real treasure. I loved learning about where you collected all of these tiny treasures. I am laughing about your husband. My husband has said "is that new" to which I've replied, yep, I just got it 30 years ago! laurie

xinex said...

Oh Phyllis, that is just the cutest little miniature table with all the fine tea things on that I have ever seen. Every little detail is so adorable....Christine

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Love the mini table!! I love your collection even if your husband hasn't noticed until now :o)

Bill said...

Hi Phyllis,
This has to be one of the most unusual tablescapes ever .. and certainly one of the sweetest. Not just the look of it, but all the special memories and sentimental thoughts you shared. Nicely done!

Bill

Martha said...

What a dear dear table -- I know how much you trasure it -- and what little treasures you have on top! It is so sweet!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

I am laughing out loud about what Mr. B said! Sounds like my husband of almost 25 years! Your little table is adorable!

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Oh my goodness. I had no idea that it was as tiny as it was until you showed it in your living room. It is very special and precious.
Have a blessed weekend, Sue

Marigene said...

What a darling little tea table...it is so unique. Thank you for sharing, Phyllis.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I agree with Debbie: I, too, was "floored" when I saw your sweet table in it's everyday display spot. Soooo tiny. I don't collect miniatures, but I've always been intrigued by them. Yours are wonderful.

I just read your parents' story over at BNOTP. What an inspiration! Happy Valentines Day to all of you!

Kathy Eickholt said...

What a lovely little table design. It looks so cute.

swedecollection said...

Phyllis, Thanks for your visit and nice comments on my blog that allowed me to find you. The last picture you posted really puts it all in perspective of how miniature the table and accessories are. Many of us have been where you were of finding something just fabulous that pulls at our heart strings or speaks to us just when we have no money to spend. I'm glad you purchased the little table as you would always be thinking about it if you didn't get it. All the tiny items in your tablescape are just marvelous. It was a treat to see what you have done and I look forward to your next tablescapes.

The Tablescaper said...

For 38 years! Men can be clueless. I love your tea and the fact that it's miniature makes it all the better.

- The Tablescaper

Lizabeth said...

That is the cutest thing ever! I would have never guesed it was quite that small! LOL on the husband! I'm always amazed at how they can open a cupboard and look for something (which is right in front of their face) but can't find it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I've been studying tablescapes and finally decided to give it a try. Liz

Entertaining Women said...

This just absolutely warms the cockles of my heart. Your mama's tea cart is truly a treasure among a vignette full of treasures. Thank you for sharing your charming design and for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay

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Maggie said...

What a delightful post, I loved reading it all, especially the quote from your husband!
Everything on your table is lovely and to see it in context with your "real" furniture makes it all more exquisite.

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Phyllis...

My friend, I just adored this sweet post! What fun you must have...collecting miniatures! I think that is a collection that I would enjoy as well...and it is one collection that wouldn't take up much room! wink!

Your little miniature tea table is just precious! Isn't it funny how we can spot something...and it is love at first sight? I certainly can see why you fell in love with this pretty tea table! The details are beautiful! And...I had sooo much fun looking at all of your tea table "pretties"! The china set with the tomatoes...sooo cute! I also enjoyed reading about your mother and how she always made you homemade tomato soup when you were sick! Ohhh...and I love the little candelabra too! Everything is sooo very sweet, my friend! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely tea table with us for the Sunday Favorites party this week! This was such a treat!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design