Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Dining Table Inspiration from The Original Wedgwood Pattern Book

Last Saturday we had the great pleasure of entertaining good friends at home for drinks and dinner. We were six at table that evening and as spring was almost upon us, I chose to decorate the dining room with flowering spring blooms and branches laden with blossom. An early Friday morning jaunt to the San Francisco Flower Market yielded exactly what I had hoped to find.

Three plump bunches of blue hyacinths await arranging
Chronica Domus


I procured the blue hyacinths specifically to complement the dinner plates I intended on using the following evening.  These beautiful plates were acquired last year and this was to be their inaugural coming out party.   I know I've sworn many times to ignore the heady siren call of a pretty table object, and I do recognize that my escalating problem vice is something I'm not particularly proud of, but I ask you, how could I have possibly passed these up?  

Chronica Domus
A view of the rim decoration - notice how the delicate hand-painted detail is achieved through the meticulous application of two differing shades of blue enamel paint, and three of brown
Photo: Chronica Domus


When I first examined the plates I was delighted to find that each - there's a baker's dozen in all - was in excellent condition. This is not often the case with early pieces of creamware, their weight being more akin to a pastry shell than the heft one expects of a conventional dinner plate.  The bluebell-like decoration reminded me of my bluebell picking days as a young girl living in the Kent countryside. Perhaps that is why they called to me.

Having a curious mind and an eye for detail, I was keen to learn about the hand-painted pattern and the exact age of these plates.  My first clue led me to their underside where a 'WEDGWOOD' mark, alongside some random letters, is impressed into the clay.  

Fortunately, for fellow crazed fanatics of early Wedgwood tablewares, a rather wonderful on-line resource awaits discovery.  The Wedgwood Museum Trust has cataloged their early archive of ceramics, along with a host of other related items, for our viewing pleasure and edification.

My rudimentary search of the collections yielded similarly patterned plates, referred to as "Queen's ware, cream colored earthenware", but nothing that was an exact match to my own.  In a bid to learn more, I contacted the museum in hopes of enlightenment and was overjoyed when Ms. Lucy Lead, an archivist at the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston, Staffordshire, responded to my inquiry.  

With a little sleuthing, Ms. Lead - so aptly named for per chosen profession - generously provided me with a liberal dose of delicious detail about my creamware dishes. Not only that, she kindly sent along the following photograph, taken directly from the original tableware pattern book of Josiah Wedgwood. Here it is:

Photo Chronica Domus courtesy of Ms. Lucy Lead
A detailed image of Josiah Wedgwood's original tableware pattern book showing the hand-painted pattern of my dinner plates, Pattern 96, located at middle right
Photo: Courtesy of Ms. Lucy Lead
   ©Wedgwood Museum/ WWRD


I was elated by the opportunity to scrutinize the detail from Pattern Book Number One, the actual reference book that Josiah Wedgwood's early clientele used when selecting and placing their tableware orders. Each blank creamware item was then decorated by hand before being carefully packed and delivered to its new owner.  Ms. Lead also informed me that my plates were made sometime in the late-eighteenth to early-nineteenth century, and are described in the pattern book as "Hyacinth blue, leaves brown, and broad and fine lines brown". This was quite a revelation as I had wrongfully assumed the flowers to have been bluebells and not hyacinths.  

Chronica Domus
Aha! Proof indeed that the flower depicted on the creamware dishes is a hyacinth and not a bluebell as I had intially believed it to be
Photo: Chronica Domus


Ms. Lead also thought it might interest me to learn that the pattern was also reproduced in a green colorway, Pattern 97, which is also recorded in the above image.  The random letters visible on the underside of my plates, small impressed 'B' and 'P' marks, are potter's marks, and relate to the worker that actually made the plate. Ms. Lead went onto tell me that sadly, the information of exactly which marks belonged to which potter had long been lost.  

As you can imagine, I was all the more overjoyed to set my dining table with such handsome dishes, knowing far more about their history and design than I would have had I not reached out to Ms. Lead. Although our guests did remark on how very pretty the two arrangements of hyacinths were, I did not choose to over-burden them with the detail of how I was inspired by the beauty of Josiah Wedgwood's vision and his original pattern book when setting our communal table that evening. Instead, I reserve that little tale for readers of this blog. 

Chronica Domus
On the morning after our dinner party I was delighted to see the hyacinths, arranged in a pair of Regency wine rinsers unfurled, revealing their full beauty and intoxicating scent*
Photo: Chronica Domus 


Thank you once again Ms. Lucy Lead for satiating my curiosity and for your generous research efforts which yielded such fascinating information.  I am ever in your debt.


*For the comfort of one's guests, I do not recommend placing heavily-scented flowers on the dining table.  However, in this instance, I correctly calculated that the tightly closed bunches of hyacinths I purchased on Friday would not be fully open by the time we sat down to dinner on Saturday evening

26 comments:

  1. From my childhood novels of the "Great Hostesses" (especially in the South), who whiled away the day in lounge chairs in the shade, sampling "lemon sauce and broken meringues) as servants saw to every detail, to YOU in such niceties as calculating the moment of the flowers' bloom---I say WOW.

    And what lovely accoutrements, with your painstaking delve and delightful discovery of their history and pattern. We watched the young artists painting edges onto saucers at the factory, and I stood bent in half, peering into that room-long furnace belt as cups rode gently into the flames. A lovely experience, and a beautiful result.

    Thank you for such a charming bio of your new dishes---it makes them seem so personable and quite FAMILY.

    r

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    Replies
    1. Hello racheld,

      Why is it that your lovely comment has me hankering for lemon sauce and broken meringues? Such an enticing combination. By the way, there's no lounging around in chairs at our house when we are throwing a dinner party. Nope! Lots of running about beforehand to be certain, but one tries so hard to plan it all ahead of time and spend as much of the evening with one's guests.

      Delete
    2. PS One of most requested Pavlovas (Pavlovae?) over the years was a three-meringue stack with whipped cream and the "fillin'" of a lemon icebox pie---tangy with lemon and rich with the Eagle Brand milk.

      Do try it sometime---betcha nobody in CA has tasted that one.

      Delete
    3. Hello racheld,

      Now you've gone and done it! Off I go on a mad search for a recipe. Sounds absolutely scrumptious!

      Delete
    4. So. . . there is a wonderful recipe for buttermilk lemon ice box pie from Southern Living. I live in California but make it every summer! And it does indeed have condensed milk the in the recipe. I make it plain, no topping. Here is a link to the recipe: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-buttermilk-icebox-pie

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    5. Forgot to say that I just love your new plates! I originally found CD after looking for blogs covering classic table settings so this really is one of my favorite posts.

      Delete
    6. Hello Stephanie Bell,

      Thanks so much for pointing me in the direction of that scrumptious pie recipe which sounds like just the ticket for a summer treat.

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    7. Hello again Stephanie Bell,

      I'm pleased to learn how you found my humble blog and that you enjoyed viewing the latest plates in my collection. As you may have already guessed, I have little resistance when it comes to pretty old dining accoutrements and enjoy setting my table with all the pieces I have been fortunate to have stumbled across. What's the point of owning such things if we don't make a point of using them, and using them often?

      Thank you again for your very kind comment and I do hope you come back again.

      Delete
  2. Hello CD, What a great find these dishes are. And what luck to find Ms. Lead so willing to help you. This documentation, so beautiful and delightful in itself, is the true lifeblood for collectors, and adds a huge extra dimension to admiring and using your plates.

    Your comment about perfumed flowers must have been directed at me, for I cannot tolerate scent, although I am sure the closed blossoms would have been no problem--the arrangement certainly looks heavenly.
    --Jim

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  3. Hello Jim,

    Indeed, Ms. Lead's photograph of Josiah Wedgwood's original pattern book was akin to receiving manna from heaven for this crazed fan of early Wedgwood. To have the opportunity to peruse the original drawings of his patterns was such a privilege.

    Ah, I'm glad our nasal passages align when it comes to overly-scented flowers on dining tables. Same goes for scented candles too. It is never a pleasant combination when these scents mingle with the delicious aromas of wafting foods.

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  4. I remember when I was young visiting the Wedgwood factory - when it was still in Barlaston - and seeing the paintresses hand-painting designs with just the degree of finesse mentioned in your post.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jenny Woolf,

      I too recall having visited the Wedgwood factory with great glee in hopes of seeing the artists in action. Alas, my visit was in late December when everyone was on holiday. The museum more than made up for my disappointment.

      Thank you for your comment and I do hope you come back again, and often.

      Delete
  5. ...obviously not that particular design- I'm not that old :)

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jenny Woolf,

      I'm sure you are nowhere approaching your 200th birthday, although there are days when I personally feel at least 100!

      Delete
  6. Very pretty plates, and a fascinating history. I do admire the effort you put into giving a dinner party. I'm afraid I've become rather fond of using china and silver* that can go in the dishwasher, (*the generic term, as obviously silver can't go into the d/w). All glasses (Waterford or Georgian) have to be washed by hand anyway. I suppose 6 sets of everything isn't too burdensome, but I prefer to avoid these chores late at night, and I can't leave them sitting in a sink uncleansed, given their attraction to insects. Clearly I am in need of a butler! When I do (rarely) make the effort with all the paraphernalia, I do much enjoy the usage thereof. Do your guests reciprocate with such elegance too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello columnist,

      No dishwasher in my kitchen! It seems that most of the things I own will be ruined if placed in one. Washing up after a small dinner party for six really isn't all that difficult and we can cope on our own. Larger dinners require help though. Ah, your idea of a butler is enticing but I'll happily settle for a scullery maid any day.

      As to reciprocal dinners, yes, we are fortunate enough to enjoy them with most of our friends. Each one has their own style and varies from home cooked meals served in a dining room, to food that has been delivered and plated. Others are not set up to entertain at home but make and effort to invite us out to lunch or dinner at a restaurant, which is a thoughtful way of reciprocating.

      Delete
  7. Stories of history bring us more attachment to goods. I love this blue.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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    Replies
    1. Hello roughterrain crane,

      I never seem to be satisfied with my old things until I've uneartherd a little more about their history and who made them, and where they were before I brought them home with me. Perhaps I should have worked in a museum.

      Delete
  8. I adore that design - whichever flower they may be and how nice of her to follow up and give some extra information which is always welcome for antiquing sleuths as yourself. I love a spring is coming dinner party with matching plates CD :)

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    Replies
    1. Hello Naomi,

      I do so enjoy a bit of antique sleuthing so may this be a warning to you. If you ever find yourself accompanying me to a decorative arts museum, you may be in danger of sprouting roots as I tend to over-absorb every little detail.

      Delete
  9. I would have guessed bluebell too, with its little upcurved flower petals. I'm delighted to have found your blog! I live in the Bay Area too after being an expat in Surrey for 4 years.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Travel With Luna,

      Yes, those little flowers are very deceiving aren't they?

      Pleased you dropped by to introduce yourself and I do hope you come back again.

      Delete
  10. What a delightful post, and such lovely plates you have. How nice to know the history of them, and what a charming exchange you had with the aptly named Ms. Lead. I find that the painted decoration on our creamware tends to chip and thus a dozen plates of ours might yield but half that amount in perfect condition. To have all of your Baker's Dozen in perfect condition is a marvel, indeed. Ah, I dream one day of being able to dig through your cupboards with you, and to do the same of mine with you. It would be such fun! It is only because we have become dear friends that such a show and tell would not come to blows--given our shared delight with such things and an uncannily similar eye. As it is, I am sure we would have a delightful time and be so pleased with what we saw. Someday, I hope. RD

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Reggie,

      I welcome such a dreamy day, so well spent, rooting around each of our cupboards and drawers, for I know we shall both be delighted with what we find. Like children in a candy shop. And, how right you are, there will be no blows for I delight in the knowledge that there is another on this planet as mad about such things as I. Kindred spirits, and all of that. Let's make it happen!

      I believe I've crafted a nifty little trick for temporarily disguising those chippy little areas found on creamware decoration. I have a few other pieces that I've tried this on and it works well. All that is required is the use of a Crayola watercolor pencil, which my daughter happily supplies me with. Just wet the tip of the pencil in your preferred color and dab away. It's a quick fix until the plate is washed and then you'll need to repeat. I know, sounds crazy, but believe me it works!

      PS: Marmie on its way to you soon.

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  11. That pattern book is a thing of BEAUTY! As is you table, as always.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Lisa,

      I'd truly enjoy a leisurely gander into that pattern book one of these days. I just know it would provide endless inspiration. It would also make me sad in the knowledge that Mr. Wedgwood's designs for decorated creamware are no longer in production.

      Someone reading this out in the big wide world, please, please, do us all a favor and get cracking on manufacturing these treasures once again, thank you.

      And, as to your kind comment on my table, it would be improved tenfold were I to have you sit at it and eat with us one of these days soon.

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Please do leave a comment as I enjoy the dialogue with my readership, thank you.

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