January 10, 2010

A Silver Tea Party...

"Make new friends, but keep the old
One is silver, and the other gold."

I'm so happy that I have this lovely little tea set to share with you today. It belonged to Handsome's family. We believe, from its monogram, that it was a treasure of his paternal grandmother's, who was a touring opera singer in the very early part of the 1900s.

This set isn't perfect. There is no lid for the sugar bowl, and around here, it's tarnished more often than not, but I actually like it this look. You're able to see the lovely scrollwork that embellishes the pieces. No matter to me that it's not shiny. It's still perfectly feminine and well-loved.

Isn't that the way of with our family treasures? No matter how old, tattered, battered, chippy or tarnished...these pieces all become perfect again in our eyes. In a world where it seems that many new things are made to fall apart, it's nice to know that our old friends were made to endure.

Thanks to Beth at Gypsy Fish Journal for hosting this event. It's so great that we can bring out our treasures - old and new - to share with you on Silver Sundays. Please visit her blog and see the other beautiful things our participants have to share with you today.
JoySignatureBROWNSM

32 comments:

  1. Your tea set is just lovely, Donna! Like you, tarnished or less than perfect is not a deal-breaker for me. In fact, that makes me love it all the more.
    Oh, and the correction from Betty to Beth was for me, not you! I called her Betty last Sunday. I didn't know that you had, too! ;-)

    Hugs,
    Anne

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  2. I love your tea set, and I am like you, the tarnishing is like dry brushing and it highlights all the design!!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  3. Love the scroll work, Donna, and you're right it's the "connection" of those pieces that make us love them so very much. So nice that you have it! Have a wonderful SS!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  4. Hi Donna, That's a beautiful set and such a wonderful family heirloom!

    Happy Silver Sunday!

    Hugs,
    Julia

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  5. I think your set is lovely...and I like the tarnish!

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  6. Thanks for inviting me to your tea party. In my house, tarnish says it is well worn and well loved.

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  7. What an absolutely lovely set. Oh, how exciting a touring opera singer!!

    I have a teaset that belonged to my mother that is missing a lid for the sugar bowl. That's the way it is with our treasures, we love them even if they are chipped, tarnished or have a piece missing!

    Happy Silver Sunday!

    ((Hugs))

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  8. A beautiful set, tarnished or shiny. Thanks so much for showing it to us today...
    xo bj

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  9. Thanks for stopping by Applejack Lane. Come back again very soon.
    I love silver of all kinds! I am interested to see how people repurpose some of their pieces. I stopped by the needlework shop blog. There are some very cute and clever baby shoes.

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  10. I rather like the tarnished look myself. I look askance at perfection, doubting its endurance. This way you see personality shining through.
    Brenda

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  11. Donna, such pretty tea service and wonderful history...I too love family treasures and tarnished silver. While I enjoy the process of polishing the silver and it's sparkle ~ the look of tarnished always wins my heart.
    ~ Rebecca

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  12. the tea set is so stunning! and i love the history that goes with it.

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  13. It is the special memories that your tarnished tea service has for you and your family. We all have those special things that mean a lot to us. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  14. It sounds like your husband's musical talent was passed down from his grandmother.
    The tea set is just lovely! I love all the detailed scrollwork. I am partial to the tarnished pieces, there's just something about the patina that I love.
    Jane

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  15. Donna,
    I love your teaset and the history behind it. How lovely.
    Thanks for visiting me at my blog and making such a sweet comment.
    I am glad that I found you, I'll be back often.
    Sissie

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  16. Donna,

    I think I've told you before I am originally from Fort Walton Beach..my Mom lives in Shalimar. I'm in Oklahoma now...love your silver tea service...so pretty. I have loved seeing everyone's silver pieces...I'm glad you like acorns too! Is it a Florida girl thing???LOL. Thanks for visitng! Sonia/Miss Bloomers

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  17. I like tarnish better than not. And as for incomplete, that just tells another story!

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  18. Donna you are right it is a tea kind of day here on Silver Sunday. I do love the tea set you showed. How cool that hubby's Grandmother was an opera singer!!! Life is sooooooooo different these days. Thanks for sharing your silver, stopping by for a visit at mine & for your sweet comment. Have a wonderful week. Charlene

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  19. Beautiful service... all of my silver is tarnished more often than not. My maid doesn't do silver... OH YEAH that would be me!!!

    Have a lovely Silver Sunday.

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  20. Treasured herilooms...tarnished with love and patina! Who could ask for more?Thanks for playing today....see you next Sunday...
    {{gypsy hugs}}
    Beth

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  21. Donna,

    Just beautiful. I love your blog. Hope to run into you soon.

    Carol

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  22. Pretty little teaset. The tarnished look is my style, because it speaks sentiment of long ago. Many Blessings to you Donna.
    Linda

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  23. Love your tea set. I think pieces missing and little dings and scratches just add to the character of the piece and what a wonderful history you have with this one. Thanks so much for your visit..I have become a follower and can't wait to read through some of your posts and get to know you. Come back for a visit soon.

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  24. Beautiful!!! This is a gorgeous silver tea set. Thank you for visiting my blog and posting such a nice comment. Happy SS...

    Rebecca

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  25. Hi Donna! What a beauty of a set, and I like the tarnished look too. Loved what you wrote also! I haven't been here for a while, and I've missed so much good stuff!!! Hugs, Paulette ;)

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  26. Thank you for stopping by!
    I love your tea set. I'll be posting one myself next Sunday.

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  27. Those are so pretty and yes so feminine! I don't have many family treasures but cherish the ones I do have. we used to sing the verse at the top of your post at the end of our daughters daisy meetings! good memories! ~ Theresa

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  28. How sweet at set! Love the old saying too.
    Tarnish is a good thing. You can count on it.
    :O)
    Marcie

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  29. Hi Donna,
    Nice to meet another Carole with an "e". I used to think I was the only one when I was a kid...so long ago.
    I love unpolished silver....so much more character!
    xo,
    Carole

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  30. Donna ~ Happy Silver Sunday! Beautiful Tea Set ~ I'm always on the hunt for one such as yours. Aah, someday ~ thanks for sharing.

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  31. What a lovely set! Incredible that such beauty can stand the test of time. A treasure!
    yf,
    shell

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna