Wednesday, February 23, 2011

La Mode Illustrée .......trayscape (très délicate et féminine)

I am linking to Tablescape Thursday over at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch......click on the icon on the right of the page and be transported there to enjoy so many beautiful tablescapes! 

Thank you, Susan, for hosting this event each week!!!


While in my guest room, I saw a picture on the wall.........a print from La Mode Illustrée  that I had bought many years ago at an estate sale.  Truly, not even thinking of the tablescape, I wondered if this print could be the "real deal", an etched fashion plate, .....LOL.....let's see, I had paid a couple of dollars for it.......probably not the original etching. 
                                                                             

                                                                                    

After looking at the picture closely, I realized it was signed by the artist  and even had the issue number of the fashion magazine written under the title of the publication.......wow....Adele-Anais Toudouze (Paris, 1822-1899) was one of the major artists for La Mode. She belonged to a most talented family of artists and engravers. Maybe this is one of those fabulous finds at a sale that you buy for nothing and it turns out to very valuable.  Google, here I come.

 Getting more excited, I decided to take the print out of the frame and check for the details I had read that made it the "real deal"......imperfect edges,  pale pastel coloring, very thin paper that would seem almost sheer, and a date in the lower right hand corner.  My print had everything listed except the date, sheer paper, pale coloring, and imperfect edges.  It was now obvious that I had a reproduction.  However, after reading a little further, I found that the repos were done in the 1940's and 50's.  This print is no "newcomer"....LOL....it is only a little younger than I !  Certainly, it has to have more value than the two dollars I paid for it.  After a little more research, I discovered that my lovely print is worth about forty dollars.   And now the frame has been cleaned, the glass shined, and the all put back together good as new.  I seem to do my best cleaning when not expecting to do so.

While hanging the picture back in the guest room, I saw some objects that looked as if they had jumped out of the print......a  porcelain dresser doll powder box, holding a beloved Peke ......(remember I have Millini Magnolia, an eleven year old Peke.)

                                                                                   
                                                                         

 an altered book in the same colors,



                                                                                    

some crochet,


                                                                                    
 a milk glass goblet.......pattern, Della Robia by Westmorland Glass Co. (circa 1940).   Milk glass was lovingly used in France in the 1800's, and considered to be a treasure.



                                                                           

.......NOW, I know what my trayscape will look like!!!!!!


                                                                                   


I have always loved our wedding china and felt that we made the right choice 47 years ago....not just us as a couple, but our china pattern as well.  It is Haviland "Bergere" which was discontinued soon after our marriage.  The pale blue and lavender corn flowers are so delicate and the fluted swirled edges always please my eyes.  Note the tiny cut glass salt dish behind the plate with the Francis First salt spoon.  A very dear friend of my husband's gave me 8 cut glass salts that had belonged to his mother.  He told me that I was the only woman he knew that would use them and love them.  They are very special to me!



The La Mode print was photographed and reduced in size, printed from my laptop on my printer and placed on the tray to "tie" the trayscape in unity.


                                                                               


Della Robia by Westmorland Glass Co. is the pattern of the goblet, the cobalt glass is one that I bought in a thrift shop.  The color of the cobalt blue drew me to it and the stem also added to the attraction.  The sterling sculpture of the cat on the chair is an Ebay purchase.  It came from England, and I know little about it. 

The goblet is resting in a Bergere coaster that matches the china.  The sterling flatware is Francis First by Reed and Barton.



The altered book was a gift from my mom years ago.  She found it in a gift shop while visiting in New Mexico. 


Something tells me that my grandsons would not like this tablescape for their "breakfast in bed treats".
Blue placemat and napkin are part of a set of four..........linen and beautiful French lace.




Thank you for visitng today, and you know, that you are always welcome here.  Be sure and visit other tablescapes here at Tablescape Thursday as there are so many that will inspire you to use some of your own lovelies that are stored in closets, china cabinets and drawers.  Have a great week and until next time.......Tea Party Everyday......why not?

17 comments:

Marlis said...

How lovely to be eating breakfast from that tray. It's all so well thought out and came together beautifully. I love the silver! wow. Also the dishes. Great post.

Marigene said...

Beautiful trayscape...just beautiful! I love the cobalt stemware with your lovely china.

Diane said...

Your grandsons might not appreciate being served breakfast in bed in this fashion, but I would love it. What a lovely trayscape. You perfectly captured the essence of the print that inspired it.

And I love that little cat on the chair!

Thanks so much for visiting my new little blog and leaving such a wonderful, encouraging comment!

Alycia Nichols said...

What a neat point of inspiration! Not only did it yield newfound knowledge of the print and its worth, but it inspired a beautiful trayscape! VERY feminine and delicate and pretty. That powder box is especially pretty...a perfect tea party accoutrement!

Slice of Pie said...

So, you are the gal with those incredible parents! I loved the story ... and I'm with you ... that Susan is quite a smart lady. She knew we would all love the story! I'm a new follower ... love your trayscape ... and appreciate your visit to my site ... because, now I've found you! Thanks so much for sharing.

Decor To Adore said...

What a gorgeous table setting! I love the tablecloth and all the inspiration.

I hope you will stop by and visit the linky party I am hosting. There are prizes!

Kathy Eickholt said...

Hi,

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I just love the Table setting, and it just goes to show what can be done. Well done.

Sweetladyelaine said...

Your tray is very nice. I love the plate, goblet and little cat!I would feel so special eatting on this tray. Thank you for sharing...

Karin Şen Cankan said...

Phylis,

I just love it, beautifuly made, my duagther Talya just adored the porcelain dresser doll powder box, she says she wants one just like it for her room.

Lots of Love,
Karin
karinsfairytale.blogspot.com

Entertaining Women said...

Blue, yellow, and white is my favorite color combination...I would adore being the guest in your home who found this waiting for me...what a gorgeous luxury. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

Terri said...

One look at that print and you had me hooked! I have the exact same print in an old frame that came from my great aunt's estate. She was older than my grandmother, who was born in 1903, so I'm thinking the print might date back to the 1920's. I'm going to take it out of the frame and look for the signs you mentioned.... Thanks for an interesting post!

Sophia said...

Absolutely lovely! The wrapped book is just so inviting and I love the soft blue and yellows. Thanks for sharing!

My Cottage Charm said...

Hi Phyllis! I'm so glad you liked my tea for two tablescape..it was so fun to put together! Oh and you're right..the tea/dessert set means SO much more to me since my hubby chose to give it to me instead of picking out something for himself. (he has such a wonderful heart!) :)
Your trayscape is just lovely...so well put together! I'm a girly girl (sure you figured that out with all the PINK roses) so I enjoyed seeing all your pretty stuff! :)
Have a great weekend
missy

Sandi (Meme) said...

What a pretty tray! Can I come stay in your guest room? Looks like I would fit right in! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment about my snowflake tablescape. I'm going to join as your newest follower, so I can keep up with your fun! Thanks again for stopping by. Sandi

Savannah Granny said...

OMG! I would enjoy having breakfast in bed here. Those are my favorite colors. Everything looks so elegant. i adore the kitty on the chair. Your wedding china is gorgeous as is your silver. Thanks for visiting my St Pats post. Hope you signed up for the giveaway. Hugs, Ginger

Jessa said...

Wow I love this, such a great post! And 40 still makes it a great find! Love that you were able to pull together all of these things to make such a wonderful table, that is truly creativity at its best!

ladyestelle said...

This is my first but not the last visit to your lovely blog.
What a delightful set up. You are a true inspiration.

Thank you for stopping by my tea corner and becoming a follower.
I wish you a glorious day!
lady Estelle