Plum Blossom Decor: An Etsy Shop Update

Hello friends! A funny thing happened on the way to writing this blog post. Last weekend I pulled five of my Etsy shop listings from my inventory (shown above), styled them on our piano, and photographed them so I could write this blog post for you today.

Then on Wednesday a customer bought the Blue Willow canister set. I considered starting over again and replacing the canisters with something else, but since they are such a rare find I thought I would still share the set, as well as the other items shown.

I found these ceramic Blue Willow canisters at an estate sale a few weeks ago and almost passed them up because it was only the three, not the standard four. I had a hunch though that, because it's Blue Willow, maybe someone out there wouldn't mind that the largest sized canister is missing. Perhaps I guessed correctly...

When I came home from the sale I searched the internet for Blue Willow canisters and found that there are very few out there for sale. This set is not marked but I did find one or two other sellers that had the same canisters and theirs were marked Japan. Johnson Brothers England also made a Blue Willow canister set.
 Nevertheless, I'm sure that Tina in New Jersey is going to love her new Blue Willow canisters!

The remaining items (as follows) are still available in my Esty shop Plum Blossom Decor.

This J & G Meakin ironstone platter in the 'Blue Nordic' pattern was made in England in the 1970s. It is 12" wide and 9-1/4" in height and is dishwasher safe. Blue Nordic, also known as Blue Onion, is a very popular pattern and appears to be widely collected. Its abstract floral design is Scandinavian influenced and quite popular amongst those that like almost anything blue and white. The fact that this pattern is dishwasher safe is a bonus as it can actually be used for everyday meals!

Also available is a sweet (albeit mismatched) pair of Japanese ceramic fans. The fan on the left has pretty pink and purple irises, blue leaves, gold highlights, and a raised or embossed texture. Although the white fan does not have any decoration, it has all the same raised or embossed textures as the decorated fan. These would be fun to use for sushi night or for jewelry next to your bedside or on your dresser. They would also be nice displayed on a bookshelf or piano.

Another lovely item for your consideration is this 'Canton style' Chinese decorative bottle with lid. It features a wrap around pattern, similar to Blue Willow, with pagoda style buildings along a river that has a bridge, sailboats, trees, flowers, rocks, birds and mountains in the background. At 7" in height it would be lovely sitting on a stack of books on your shelves or as part of a vignette on a bathroom shelf or perhaps on your bedside table.

And lastly, a Chinese ginger jar with a hand painted 'chintz-like' pattern. It is 7" in height and there are interesting borders on the top and bottom of the jar as well as on the lid, and a floral medallion on the front and back. A classic piece that will work anywhere you choose to place it.

So head on over to Plum Blossom Decor on Etsy to see more details, photos, videos and prices. Everything here is available (except the sold Blue Willow canister set) and in excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks or crazing to the glaze. And don't forget to use the code PlumBlossom10 for a ten percent discount on your order!

Thank you for looking and bye for now...

Plum Blossom Decor: An Etsy Shop Update

Hello friends, I haven't written about my Etsy shop Plum Blossom Decor for a long time. The shop is in the process of being revised because my interest in all things chinoiserie has overtaken my love of vintage tea ware. There was a hiccup in renaming the shop and there are still a few things to fix but I am anxious and motivated to complete the transition.

I still adore old teacup sets (and 'pretty vintage' things) and will continue to offer them in my shop but over time I will be focusing more on vintage Chinese and Japanese home decor items, as well as vintage English items featuring the chinoiserie themes. There will also be a few choice Mid Century items as well.

In fact, today I'm sharing five new items (above) that have just been listed: Three Famille Rose pieces: a large statement vase (center), a large tea jar or ginger jar (left rear), a 'fishbowl' planter (left front) and two Rose Medallion items - a small wall plate (right, rear) and a teacup and saucer set (right front).

Famille Rose and Rose Medallion home decor items are considered a quintessential part of the chinoiserie home fashion look. Famille Rose, with its 'court' or 'salon' scenes typically depict people in a formal setting carrying out traditional duties. Rose Medallion items do not feature people, but rather are portraits of the natural world. The 'rose' referred to is actually a peony. Both Famille Rose and Rose Medallion share common painted background characteristics of peonies, moths, birds, pomegranates, gold highlights and lots and lots of 'fill-in' florals and greenery. Pinks and greens are the traditional colors, but there is some variation.

At 14-1/4" in height this vase can certainly be considered a statement piece. It has beautiful bright colors and portrayals of courtly behavior within a cartouche-like frame on both the front and back of the piece. There are birds, moths, pomegranates and florals with gold highlights filling in all the spaces.

This lidded tea jar or ginger jar also depicts a court or salon scene. It is 10-3/4" in height and 6" in diameter. It has florals, moths, greenery and gold highlights. A perfect shelf styling accessory!

One of the more fun items in the Famille Rose family of items I'm offering is this small (5" in height) 'fishbowl' planter. While it has the traditional salon or court scene attributes on both the front and the back (as well as two bird panels), it has a surprise element. Unlike most house plant containers, this one has a finished interior which renders it just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Keep scrolling and you'll see what I'm referring to...

Don't you just love those fish? They are both realistic and stylistic at the same time!

And lastly, the Rose Medallion wall plate and teacup and saucer set. The wall plate is 6" in diameter, and has four panels that contain the traditional rose and greenery elements. There is a lovely scalloped border with gold highlight and it has two holes in the back which make adding to your plate wall super easy!

The tea set has the same cartouche-like panels, with birds the central theme here. There are also the roses, peonies, moths, and an abundance of greenery as well as gold rims and gold embellishing in all the spaces within the greenery.

As mentioned at the beginning, all items featured in this blog post are available in my Etsy shop Plum Blossom Decor. All are in excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, glaze crazing or repairs. Each piece has been carefully cleaned and inspected. As always, my goal is to offer the best quality vintage chinoiserie, oriental and asian style home decor items for your enjoyment. So if you love this kind of timeless home decor, visit my shop! For more details, including video clips and prices, visit Plum Blossom Decor and enjoy a ten percent discount with the code PlumBlossom10!

Thanks for looking!

Introducing Plum Blossom Vintage: Chinoiserie, The Orient, Midcentury

Hello Friends! Well it's been almost one year since the corona virus struck the United States and our lives fell into a tail spin. But now that there is a vaccine and a new president in the White House, I'm feeling hopeful about the future. I hope you are as well.

I'm excited to share some news with you! I'm starting a new shop! Plum Blossom Vintage will offer inspiring vintage chinoiserie, oriental and midcentury homewares for anyone looking to add some asian or midcentury (or both!) inspired flair to their home decor.

I'm still selling vintage tea ware in my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures. This new endeavor will be on Instagram. I'll be utilizing my Vintage Tea Treasures Instagram account where the name has been changed to Plum Blossom Vintage. Shown above is a sneak peek of the first collection for Plum Blossom Vintage. It is almost ready for a flash sale which will be happening very soon and I will announce it here. 

So wish me luck and I hope you will join me for the sale!

Flattening the Curve, Day 55

Hello lovelies. Today is my fifty-fifth day of mandatory leave from my work site due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and today I'm sharing a few of the vintage tea ware items in my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures.

On the far left are two different Minton brand coaster or trinket dish sets. A pink, blue and yellow floral set (standing upper) named Haddon Hall and a red, pink, yellow, blue and purple floral set named Marlow (standing lower). Both are English bone china and each piece is 3-1/2" in diameter and has gold gilding around the upper edge. Useful as coasters or perhaps nice for a pat of butter, a place to store pins, or pretty on your dressing table for jewelry or as a catch-all.

The Aynsley Cottage Garden orange teacup and saucer set (middle) is also made in England and features a beautiful chinoiserie scene with red, yellow and blue flowers and a red butterfly on the inside of the teacup. The outside of the teacup and the top of the saucer are a lovely shade of persimmon or burnt orange. There is gold gilding on the top rim, handle and foot of the teacup and around the perimeter of the saucer. Very nice for the Aynsley collector.

And lastly, an Ellgreave 32 ounce chinoiserie ironstone teapot (far right) made in England. It features the classic 'Indian Tree' stylized pattern. The tree is decorated with blue, yellow and green flowers and red and yellow berries. Two large red peonies embellished with greenery and several other blue flowers surround the tree, and a garden gate sits at the bottom of the scene. A smaller version of the same pattern is on the back of the teapot. Perfect for the chinoiserie collector.

You can find complete descriptions, photographs and pricing by clicking each of the links above. Shipping is free in the United States. And don't forget that you can save ten percent off your order by using the code PLUMBLOSSOM10.

Thank you for looking and I hope you are having a good week so far.

Flattening the Curve, Day 45

Hello lovlies! Today is the forty-fifth day that I have been on mandated leave from my government work site due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, this is a little reminder that there are many nice vintage tea ware items in my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures that are perfect gifts for your tea loving mother, grandmother, or perhaps mother-in-law.

For example, above is a Royal Vale Mother teacup and saucer set that features a lovely scripted 'Mother' in gold on the front of the teacup. There are pink, yellow and purple flowers with greenery on the front and back of the teacup and also on the saucer. There is gold gilding on the inside rim, upper rim, foot and handle of the teacup and on the perimeter of the saucer.

This violets vintage teacup and saucer set, above, is a Tuscan brand and has a 'Mother' scripted on the inside of the teacup near the top rim. There are lots of pretty lavender and purple violets with greenery on the front and back of the teacup and on the saucer, with gold gilding on the top rim, handle and foot of the teacup and around the perimeter of the saucer.

There are also some 'vintage gifts' in my shop and this pair of Ucago Ceramics branded pedestal candlestick holders is a fine example. Green seashells are the candlestick holders and each is embellished with a green parakeet and a smaller green seashell. Each half shell is mounted on a pedestal stand, or base, and is decorated with realistic barnacles. Lovely gold embellishment throughout.

And lastly, for anyone shopping for a month of May birthday gift, this beautiful Tuscan brand 'Birthday Flowers' teacup and saucer set featuring May's Lily of the Valley is perfect!

  

The set has a pedestal egg-like cup shape decorated with a medium sized bouquet of Lily of the Valley on the front of the teacup, a smaller bouquet on the back, and a sprig on the inside of the teacup. The same floral pattern is repeated on the slightly scalloped saucer and there is gold gilding on the foot, top rim and handle of the teacup and around the perimeter of the saucer.

Just click the link on any of the above descriptions and you'll find more photos and pricing information.

And of course, I always offers readers of this blog a discount, so just use the code PLUMBLOSSOM10 for ten percent off your order. And don't forget that I offer free shipping in the USA!

Thank you for looking and I hope you are having a peaceful and safe weekend.

See you again soon.

  

Flattening the Curve, Day 32

Hello friends. Today is 'Day 32' of my mandatory leave from my work site due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Since I last spoke here on the blog about my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures, a few sales have rolled in and I am thrilled. I know these are uncertain times for many people, so I appreciate it all the more.

I had a chance to faff with one of the sold items before packing it up and shipping it off to its new home in Canada. This lovely vintage bone china teacup and saucer set is a Royal Grafton #1454 in pastel yellow. It features a beautiful mixed floral bouquet in red, orange, white and purple, and the floral arrangement is embellished with greenery.

Another lovely feature is the gold gilding on all the rimmed edges, standard on most teacup sets of this era (1950s).

  

There is also a decorative gold band around the outside of the teacup.

And the pattern on the saucer matches the teacup.

Pottery decorator Alfred Bailey Jones (A.B. Jones) is thought to have started his pottery career selling his wares at the Eagle Works, Station Square in Longton England in about 1876. Around 1900 his Grafton works was built in Longton across from the Grafton Junior and Infants School. Grafton then became the trade name of his business and Alfred was joined by his two sons. A royal warrant was give by Queen Mary and the business then was known as Royal Grafton and survived into the 1970s.

Every time I find another vintage teacup set while charity or estate sale shopping, my heart nearly skips a beat. There is such beauty and a timeless quality in the pieces I find and I love that each one will eventually find a new home and begin its life all over again.

So if you are looking for that timeless quality or if you need a special tea gift for yourself or a friend, Vintage Tea Treasures is at the ready. Just use code PLUMBLOSSOM10 and get ten percent off your order.

Thank you and I hope you have a peaceful evening.

 
 

Flattening the Curve, Day 19

Hello everyone. It's day nineteen of my mandatory leave from my government job due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Even though it is a temporary separation, it feels like a very long time because in fifteen years I have never taken more than maybe one week off at my job at any one time.

As a follow-up to my blog post yesterday, where I talked about my Etsy Shop Vintage Tea Treasures and the current Etsy campaign #standwithsmall, I would like to share with you what I am doing to help keep the Etsy community safe during this unprecedented time.

From the very beginning, my top mission at Vintage Tea Treasures has always been to provide the very best vintage tea ware I am able to source. Part of that process is, of course, cleaning items once I bring them home. I have always first washed my finds in warm water using a mild dish soap, and then cleaned thoroughly with household rubbing alcohol.

After testing and inspecting, the tea ware is then ready for photographing and listing. Once that is done, all items are stored in brand new plastic bins according to SKU number.

When an item sells, I have always done a final testing and cleaning with rubbing alcohol before packing and shipping. I understand that we are all concerned about coronavirus, and so I have added a new process to my packing and shipping procedure. I am now wearing safety gloves at the final testing and cleaning stage and while packing. I have always used brand new packing materials and I will continue to do so.

I hope this helps alleviate any concerns you may have about safety, and for further information you may like to read These Common Household Products Can Destroy the Novel Coronavirus from Consumer Reports.

Thank you and have a peaceful evening.

Flattening the Curve, Day 18

Hello everyone, how are your days of staying home and staying safe going?

Today, Sunday, is my eighteenth day of mandatory leave from my government job due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For me, today feels more like a normal, low key, quiet kind of Sunday - I've stayed away from my news feed. Do you take breaks from the news as a way of managing your mental health?

I hope you don't mind if I take this opportunity to let you know that I have a vintage tea ware shop on Etsy called Vintage Tea Treasures. I started my Etsy shop back in 2016 after I became obsessed with styling pretty photographs for my Instagram feed using the beautiful vintage tea ware I would find at estate sales and charity shops as props.

Styling and photographing for Instagram was fun, but once I got the bug for business, I continued to add more items to the shop and now there are over 100 listings to choose from. More recently, I've added a small section of vintage gifts to the shop. My passion for all things vintage and for studying the history of the decorative arts keeps me engaged in the vintage market community and I enjoy sharing my knowledge both in my shop listings and here on the blog.

Small business owners like me need your support now more than ever. With my mandatory leave from my 'in real life job' uncertain, a few Vintage Tea Treasures sales could help sustain my family. I provide excellent customer service and ship orders fast and reliably. I would also like to offer you a coupon code for ten percent off any purchase from my shop. Just use code PLUMBLOSSOM10 to receive your discount. #standwithsmall

Thank you and I hope you have a safe and peaceful evening. 



    

Vintage Tea Treasures: An Etsy Shop Update

Hello friends! Welcome to another shop update for Vintage Tea Treasures, my Etsy shop, where you'll find classic, timeless and fun teatime china ware suitable for any occasion where timeless beauty is what you require.

Did you know that Vintage Tea Treasures now offers vintage gifts? Since opening the shop it has been a fascinating and challenging journey learning all there is to know about the history of the British pottery factories. As that understanding grows, so does my curator's eye as I am out and about searching for lovely tea ware for you to enjoy.

For example, when I recently spotted the two c. 1992 Royal Doulton bone china ballerina figurines above I knew they would be perfect additions to the new 'vintage gifts' shop category. Modelled by artist Alan Maslankowski each captures the beauty, grace and elegance of a classic ballerina. Hand made and hand decorated, both 'Little Ballerina' (above left) and 'Ballet Shoes' (above right) are available now.

I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw this Spode bone china 'Bridal Rose' coffeepot! At this point I have seen many pieces of lovely vintage tea ware that are designed to look like real botanics such as teacups that suggest flower petals and have 'branch' handles, but I never saw anything so rich in texture and detail as this very special coffeepot.

With its realistic cabbage leaf-like textured pattern 'growing' up from the base to its branch-like handle embellished with pretty rose bouquets, perhaps 'Bridal Rose' was truly meant for a bride or bride to be.

And lastly, how lovely is this Harleigh China pink roses teacup and saucer duo? There are not too many Harleigh China pieces out there for comparison but I can assure you that it is a high quality brand that pings with perfection, loudly and strong. A testament to the timeless quality of vintage bone china.

For all the details about these and more than one hundred other vintage tea ware offerings, (and the new vintage gifts section) including additional photographs, measurements and prices, please visit Vintage Tea Treasures on Etsy. And as an Under The Plum Blossom Tree blog reader you can save ten percent off your order with code PLUMBLOSSOM10.

Thank you for reading!

Faffing With Vintage Tea Treasures - Georges Briard 'Peony' Teapot

Hello friends! This past weekend I had the pleasure of saying goodbye to another piece of vintage tea ware when Marie in California purchased this lovely Georges Briard 'Peony' teapot from my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures.

Ukrainian born American designer Georges Briard (1917-2005) came to the United States from Poland in 1937. After earning an MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago Briard began what would eventually become a successful career in commercial home ware design. His style is best described as whimsical and modern with a touch of elegance.

I'm sure you would agree that this 'Peony' teapot, with its dancing green leaves outlined in red, its fully bloomed stylized blue and red peonies, and the abstract red and blue border pattern all serve to incorporate the above described design qualities.

Furthermore, according to the inscription on the bottom of the teapot, this design is Briard's homage to a traditional 18th century Japanese design known as Imari.

   

An interesting feature of the teapot is Briard's modern twist away from the traditional teapot lid. The lid lays flat within the top opening and has two grasp holes.

And the classic bamboo handle reminds me of all the Japanese teapots I've ever had over the years.

I hope you've enjoyed this small peek into a whimsical, modern and elegant piece of vintage tea ware as well as learning a little something about its designer and historic design influence.

If you love midcentury modern home ware design, and would like to see more of Georges Briard's creations, I made a Georges Briard Pinterest board just for you.

And, if you are interested in purchasing any of the items in my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures, you can save 10% off your purchase with code PLUMBLOSSOM10.

Thank you for reading!

Faffing with Vintage Tea Treasures - Two-Toned Sudlow's Teapot

Hi friends! I'm happy to report that this Sudlow's two-toned earthenware teapot from my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures, lovingly restored to its original beauty and luster, has been safely delivered to Sophia in Pennsylvania. Sophia will be gifting it to someone special for Christmas.

Sometimes I wonder if the manufacturers of this now collectable chinaware ever thought about how far ahead in time their beautiful high quality teapots would travel.

No doubt when Robert Sudlow and Samuel Gibson formed Gibson, Sudlow & Co. in 1874, producing quality 'fancy' earthenware (especially teapots), they must have been thinking about future generations because the timeless design, skill, and distinguishing characteristics of this particular teapot are still highly desired today. 

Manufactured in the 1950s when Sudlow formed his own company between 1892 and 1965, I believe its look is based on what would have been an already long established Gibson, Sudlow & Co. standard.

Featuring a unique and interestingly rich two-toned color scheme, the glazing treatment on the upper portion of the teapot resulted in a nice 'wood-like' textural element, while the lower portion is a deep color tone. Overall, I'm sure you will agree, the teapot has a brilliant shine.

As is usual with English tea ware, there is shiny gold gilt trim on the handle, spout, upper rim in two places, and at the foot of the teapot.

Its capacity is 36 ounces which will make six 6-ounce cups of delicious tea.

Thank you for your purchase Sophia!

If you, like Sophia, are interested in high quality vintage tea ware you might enjoy having a look at my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures. Like the Sudlow's teapot featured here, the shop is stocked with classic, timelesss and fun teatime china ware. And readers of Under The Plum Blossom Tree blog will receive a ten percent discount off their total purchase with the code PLUMBLOSSOM10.

Thank you for reading!