Some sign that a human hand was involved in the making of a thing can often give it a degree of enchantment. — Thomas Moore
WordPress, where I publish my blog, has a mind of its own. One of the things it chooses without any input from me is the every-changing list of “Top Posts and Pages” on the right side of the page.
Sometimes when I notice a popular post that I don’t recognize, I go back and read it. That’s how I rediscovered this post from 2016. I loved reading it again, so I’m reposting. I hope you’ll enjoy it too.
Here it is:
I’ve been cleaning out the shelves of my china cabinet and buffet, clearing the way before the workmen come at the end of March to rip out my carpet and put down a new hardwood floor.
Since everything has to be individually wrapped in newspaper and boxed, it’s the perfect time to separate out the glasses, dishes, and tablecloths I no longer use so I can give them to Goodwill.
The silver vase? Fine. Never use it.
The onyx wine glasses? Beautiful. Maybe someone else will know how to use them.
The china painted plates and tea cups? Wait. No way! Not the dishes my grandma painted. Those are different.
The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment. — Thomas Moore
My grandma’s china painting
My grandma was a woman of many talents. She designed and made clothes for an exclusive dress shop. She was a famously good dancer, the life of every party. She painted with oils. She planted a large garden every year and canned what they couldn’t eat fresh. Her pot roasts were the juiciest, her apple pies the flakiest, and … she looked pretty good in a bathing suit.
Rose Johnstone, age 29
She didn’t start china painting until she was in her late forties or early fifties. It was only a hobby, but she was pretty good at it.
Despite the fact that she kept a clean house and cooked three meals a day for my grandpa, she had time to paint dishes for all her favorite friends and relatives. I have a whole set.
I ought to organize a tea party when my floor is done, don’t you think?
She was also into ceramics. She had a kiln in her basement for firing her ceramic figurines and china painted plates.
I may not use my grandma’s china painted plates often, but when I do, they add something warm and human to the occasion. A sense of enchantment?
… to have an enchanted world we have to do everything possible to preserve spirits of the past, to make and keep things rich in personality, and then to surrender ourselves to their presence. — Thomas Moore in The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life
Your grandmother looks so hip in her bathing suit and I love her china set. I have inherited (through my husband) a lovely French china set of plates and other dishes that I use whenever I have a dinner at home. Older plates make for good conversations since they carry family history. Great post, as always, Nicki.
P.S. Jennifer is right about the dishwasher, though. I need to wash them by hand!
Some tangible family history in the form of dishes adds another dimension to a dinner. Your guests probably enjoy eating off your French china almost as much as you do, Evelyne.
I do wash my grandma’s china by hand. I’ve been told that the gold is soft and will wear away in the dishwasher.
Woah! You had a wonderfully talented Grandma!
How did she do ’em all?
The China and the figurines! They are so beautiful!
(and now I am drooling while picturing her apple pie and pot roast!) XD
You’re an artist, Hari. As you know, it takes an interest in art, a certain amount of talent, and a lot of practice. It also helps to have a teacher and fellow artists to support you.
What a fabulous hobby to have, and to be so good at it, Nicki! 🙂 Seems like a remarkable lady. I need another third of her energy! Definitely enchanting 🙂
She was remarkable. Although she came from a poor family, she was confident that she could succeed in whatever she set her mind to and energetic enough to get it done.
What lovely china! I almost never use my fine dishware, but I do like the look of them.
Isn’t that the way, Jennifer. We save our good china. At least when we do use it, we know it’s a special occasion.
Your grandmother’s painted China is just beautiful. A treasure and a true family heirloom.
I’m preparing to replace my carpet with a hardwood floor. Usually my grandma’s china sits quietly in the buffet. Boxing things up, brought it out of the shadows.
Wow! Your grandma was a beautiful and accomplished woman. What a wonderful treasure she left you, Nicki. Absolutely, a tea party or special luncheon is in order!
It’s been fun to remember my grandma through the dishes she gave me. She lived into her 90s, but still, she’s been gone for a long time. She was the second and most lively of five girls. In my mind, she was always Jo from Little Women.
Yes, I can see that comparison. She must have been so much fun to be around!
Those are very special, indeed. You are so lucky to have these heirlooms. I didn’t even know you could paint plates (unless it’s a kid project, I think I did one of those) and have it look so professional. 😛 I suppose once upon a time you could buy a set of hand-painted dishware, eh? Tea party! Tea party!
p.s. I’ve read Thomas Moore’s books! Love him.
That’s great! I don’t know anyone else who reads Thomas Moore.
I think the process my grandma used in her china painting was about the same as what is used to make “professional” painted dishes. She had me paint a few plates when I was a kid, and as I remember, I used some of the same techniques I later learned when I studied Chinese brush painting. After painting the whole scene, she fired the plate in her kiln. Then I added more color to make it brighter, and she fired it again.
Amazing. It seems so crude, the process, but her dishes look so professional!
Your grandmother was a beautiful and talented woman.
Thank you, Suzicate.
Those are certainly some pretty porcelain plates and cups. Your grandma was certainly a woman of many talents as you said, an a woman with an eye for detail. With plates and cups as pretty as those, I don’t know if I will use them…wouldn’t like as much as a thin scratch across them. You can always display them in a glass cabinet for everyone including visitors to admire 🙂
My grandma used her china painted plates, for special occasions, so I think I’ll do the same. I remember her serving homemade apple pie on her plates.
Those plates and cups look amazing. What a talented grandma!
Thank you Marta. My grandma never ran out of things to be interested in.
Thank you, Marta. My grandma never ran out of things to be interested in.
Tea Parties are fun. We used to have them on New Year’s Day for a few neighbors ~ a chance to share all the sweet treats that we received over the holidays. On the good china. Of course.
Your grandmother’s china is lovely, Nicki. I’m glad you still find occasion to use it.
I New Year’s Day tea sounds like a good idea. I haven’t used my grandma’s china for a long time, but I will.
Your grandmother’s plates are gorgeous. They remind me of a pattern my grandmother had.
Thank you, Michelle. Roses, wild roses, and clusters of grapes have been favorites for many years.
Your grandmother’s china painted plates are stunning, Nicki. What a treasure you have. That said, yes, have that tea party!
If you weren’t so far away, I’d invite you to my tea party.
What treasures! What a special grandma….
I too, have things from an era gone by that are tender to my heart, boxed up and stored beneath the house in our cellar. In this new home (scaled down size) I have no display cases. Still, can’t bear to part with them. Mindy
I guess we all have the same tendency, to save special things from our past.
Arlene is right! You and your sister both look like your young grandma. The painted plates are beautiful–perhaps you got much of your talent from Grandma?!
Thank you Veda. Without our parents and grandparents would be a lot different, that’s for sure!
Wow Nicki, all the china and the figurines, she really was a talented woman. What treasures you have. And I think you look like her! And probably have many of her talents as well.
My grandma always had something going on. As soon as she learned to china paint she invited her friends over and taught them china painting at her kitchen table.
I’ve had people say I look like my mom, but so far you’re the only one who’s said I look like my grandma. Thanks.
Tea party, dinner party…something party! Or maybe an everything party. Those plates are gorgeous. Did she add the gold trim as well? I wouldn’t even know how you do that. So impressive.
She did do the gold, Autumn. I remember there was something special about how to do it, but I don’t remember what it was. I do know you didn’t want to make a mistake because it would show.
I’m not a big party thrower, but now I guess I’ll have to do it.
There’s nothing like a gorgeous set of China to grace the dining table. Throw in a good measure of fantastic food and a decent helping of company for the perfect finishing touch.
Pretty dishes are a nice touch, but you’re right, good food and good company are the main course.
Those dishes are stunning! No way I would give them up. Take them along when you go to the nursing home (in 20 years)!
Thanks Kate. I’ll have to remember that. Of course maybe in 20 years I’ll need a reminder.
A lovely treasure. Perhaps you should make a shutterfly-type book to share with friends and family when youy don’t want them being used.
That’s a good idea, Paddy. At this point, though, I still want to use them. But I have to be careful washing dishes.
Your grandmother was quite the accomplished woman! Those plates are absolutely gorgeous! And your grandmother handed her art talent down your way. 🙂 Perhaps you’ll take up china painting?
Love the quotes. I find it sad nowadays when technology is favored over things done by hand.
Thanks, Linda. It’s been fun to show off my grandma’s plates.
I remembered reading those ideas of Thomas Moore many many years ago, but I’d given the book away in another round of closet cleaning. Fortunately I found it again on line, and there were some see-inside pages.