Worn and Loved
Isn't this beautiful. It’s a vintage green and gold, Imperial Crown China tea set. I thought it was gorgeous the minute I set eyes on it!
What really drew me to it was the fact that the gilding around the saucers is worn - this set has been well used and loved.
I wondered about who might have owned it.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin my wee story …
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin my wee story …
Jean and Jimmy married right after the end of the war. The tea set was a present from Jean's Aunt Maggie who had married well and thought herself a bit above the rest of the family. Jean loved the tea set and kept it for "Sunday best". Each Sunday evening, Jimmy would make Jean a wee cuppa as they sat listening to the wireless, she knitting while he completed his crossword. Before bed, Jimmy would carefully rinse out the china cups and replace them in the cupboard. Occasionally they talked about the little matinee jackets Jean knit for her nephews and nieces and hoped that one day they, too, would be blessed with a family.
Fifteen years later, their first and only child, a son they named David, was born. Their quiet Sunday night ritual was replaced with the usual rush surrounding David's bedtime and getting organised for the week ahead. The wedding china was replaced with something a bit more robust.
David was a clever boy, and all too soon, he left for university down south. On their first Sunday night without him, Jimmy quietly made Jean a wee cup of tea in her favourite china to try to comfort her - she missed the bustle of family life so much. Slowly they settled into their new routine - Jimmy still did his Sunday crossword and Jean sat knitting - they joked that one day, perhaps they would have grandchildren. And they did - David married Christine, a girl he met at university and once they had graduated, they emigrated abroad. They had four children, three boys and a girl - Jimmy and Jean doted on them and visited as often as they could afford to. David rarely returned to Scotland.
But every Sunday night, year after year, they had their cup of tea from the wedding china and they reminisced about the old days and their hopes for their grandchildren. They died as they had lived, quietly and without fuss, within a month of each other. David returned for the funerals and took back with him some family photos and a few bits and pieces that he thought might be valuable. He sent the "old fashioned tat" to the charity shop.
One day, a woman named Liz was rummaging around the charity shop when she spotted a gorgeous vintage tea set and it cost only a few pounds. Her heart melted a bit when she saw that it was worn - each cup and saucer had been used and loved. This little tea set had not just been placed in a china cabinet to be looked at - it had been lovingly cared for. She bought it.
On Sunday night, Liz made herself a cup of tea and used a cup and saucer from the set. As she sat with her crochet, sipping her tea, she wondered about the people who had cherished it before her.
Love, Liz
Comments
x
Liz
xx
Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
Love from Mum
xx
PS You are the perfect host for our tea room at the VSF. See you there!
xx
I loved your imaginative story!
This set is really beautiful in that acqua green!
I also find used things full of interest and sometimes wonder about their previous owners...
I hadn´t heard of you for some time so now I decided to be your newest follower.
And,you know, next week I'll be in Scotland on a trip with students of a senior university where I teach English. :)
Greetings from Portugal
Enjoy!
xx
That is what I love about all my vintage items,thinking about the people who have owned them before and the stories they could tell.
Love your sweet story and your beautiful china! :0)
Thank you for sharing