Monday, September 12, 2011

"CHINA ROSES"..Teacup Tuesday #4

" No two roses smell  exactly the same " .. and over the centuries, their fragrance and beauty have heralded the rose, as the most popular flower on the planet.


Numerous  stories  surround the rose including,  "Alice in Wonderland ", "Through the Looking Glass "," Beauty and the Beast, and " The Nightingale and the Rose"...  Empress Josephine Bonaparte  inspired the world's greatest botanical paintings surrounding this flower and Cleopatra entertained Anthony knee deep in roses.

 Is it any wonder that china companies should also herald the beauty of roses on their porcelain cups and saucers... Have you ever counted how many rose decorated pieces of china that you own ?

Just about everything, I own has a emblematic rose on it, not to mention my own name " Roslind" which means, "surrounded by roses"...  "A rose is a rose is a rose." I quess ...  I'm a rose. ( Ha Ha) 






If I had to pick a favorite rose cup and saucer , it would be this one ... A most remarkable thing of beauty, that rests majestically amongst my Royal Doulton figurines. The bell shaped cup is much smaller than one might think and the saucer turns up three times higher than most of my other saucers . In reality, It looks very much like a canterbury bell.


The markings certify, that it's a Foley China Work produced by E. Brain & Co.Ltd., Fenton, which became Staffordshire Potteries from 1903-1963.Just for general interest,  E. Brain , later, took over Coalport China which was the first English Pottery to obtain the famous, "Rose Pompadour" color.


Funnily enough ... This set was a  gift .....Would you like to hear the story? .... Ok !!!!

 One stormy November, I passed an antique store on my way to university... I remember, because it was bitterly cold and in those days, you had to bundled up and weather the storm on foot, to get to classes ...  Even then, I was admiring  fine china and imagining being a " Snow Queen", who might , someday, be able to afford such beautiful things.... but, I had books to buy... Keep walking girl !!!!!



Everyday ... I passed the shop and eventually, got up the courage to enter in ... You know, it's always best to  stay away from temptation, however, being young, I had the curiosity of a small kitten ... 
Infact, it was like belling the cat, ding, ding, the brass bell, heralded my arrival  and all the little  china mice cups and saucers surrounded me... BING BING... I felt like "Alice", in the garden of the talking flowers, only they were chattering  teacups. ( I have quite an active imagination) so PLEASE bear with
 me !!!!
In the Chapter, "Garden of Live Flowers ", in " Through the Looking Glass ", a talking  rose tells  Alice, " You're beginning to fade, you know .... and then one can't help one's petals getting alittle untidy ! "

Quite frankly , I did look a  blustery sight, quivering and dripping wet snow all over the wooden floors of the rustic establishment ... no matter, for the old storekeeper was ever so kind, " May I help you, she asked ... "No, I'm just looking," I replied. "Well take your time, Dear ", she said, then turned, paused and asked if I would like a cup of tea. ...  WOULD I !!!!!


The rest of the story is history.  I began frequenting the little shop every week-end, admiring china and having teatime chats with Mrs. Sparrow on a regular basis.


Time passed and on the last year of my university sojourn ... I  stopped over to bid a fond farewell to the the sweet, elderly Mrs. Sparrow, who fondly returned a hug. She presented me with a small package wrapped in brown paper that was tied with string.... Sometimes the best things come in the smallest packages .... Don't you agree !!!


Yes...You've probably quessed that the gold filigree of this farewell cup  intertwines  it's leaves and roses  into my heart, as one of my most sentimental teatime memories. DID I deserve such a beautiful gift !!!! 
( I'm not sure )


Certainly, I will forever cherish the  teatime laughter and chats, in the back of the old curiosity shop with Mrs. Sparrow... For instance ... Did you know that ....  "  It takes 60,000 roses to make an ounce of attar of rose ".... "a tax was once levied on roses" ...  ' Roses are an aphrodisiac "  ...   AND ... " roses love garlic".


 " What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet ."
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
'Romeo and Juliet'

Thank You for stopping by to smell the roses,this Teacup Tuesday,  now I hope you will join me in a refreshing cup of, " ROSE PETAL TEA "  ... Collect the petals to be dried before the flower unfolds. Use two heaping teaspoons per cup of boiling water.... Steep for a few minutes and  ENJOY !!!

21 comments:

Maria Andrade said...

What a beautiful cup interwined with a beautiful story!
Thanks for having delighted me with both.
Hugs

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hello Zaa,
Such a beautiful teacup with a lovely story behind it. I love the ladies at teatime figurine too; delightful. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your evening.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Zaa! Your teacup is amaZAAing! So lovely and feminie! But, I especially love your figurines that you toss into the photo spreads. The one of the two ladies at tea along illustrate your story of taking tea with Mrs. Sparrow perfectly.

Thanks for visiting over at The Writer's Reverie. I'd love to know more about your flower fairies of old - and what show were they in with you?

Joy!
Miss Kathy

Terri said...

What a lovely blog and post! Roses have been favorites of mine too since I was a child. Your Foley cup and saucer are indeed truly gorgeous. What a pattern and what a fabulous shape!
Oooh and the figurine!!! Love that too!
Hugs,
Terri

Wanda Lee said...

Dearest Zaa,

Oh what utter and exquisite loveliness!

I also adore the fragrance, subtlety and nuance of the uniqueness of each rose in an endless 'sea' and array of possibilities!

People, and yes even blogs, figurines and for sure, even fine tea blends and teacups also have their uniqueness. Thanks for also sharing your delightful story as well.

Thanks so much for joining me for our 72nd, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday' and also for my 101st, 'Tuesday Tea For Two' Zaa!

Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee

xinex said...

Your tea cups and figurines are so lovely and just adorable!..Christine

Sandra Foster said...

What beautiful roses my friend. I have been taking pics of things in my china cabinet too. Will share them later.

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hello Zaa,
that is a hearttouching story. How wonderful to have that beautiful tea cup. The sweet history makes this tea cup even more adorable. I can imagine the nice time and that Mrs. Sparrow had treasured your company much. I am sure she missed you. So I totally understand that she wanted to make you a nice gift. Wish you lots of nice events to drink from this beautiful rose tea cup and remember the good time.
Best greetings, Johanna

Barb said...

Zaa, your teacup is just strikingly lovely. Such a gorgeous post.

Barb

Carrie said...

A lovely story about an exquisite teacup... Thanks for sharing!

Sandi McLean said...

A lovely post I agree both cup and tale! What is it about the sharing of a tea story that makes such delightful reading. My own first post and I am quite tickled to have finally made the time.

Unknown said...

the cup and saucer are regal and elegant like you. This post was fun to read w/ my tea this evening...I enjoyed it very much. Furthermore that porcelain statue of the two ladies having tea...I LOVE that...must have that!! :)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hello Zaa
Thank you for visiting my blog. Such a lovely story with a happy ending and nice photos to help you tell it.
Judith

Zaa said...

Thank You Ladies for your kind supportive comments...I enjoyed visiting your blogs... Please do come again for tea...Hugs

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Zaa,

So happy to find out you love roses and china as much as I do! On the 8th of September I got a message that you'd signed into my blog but I was still in Europe on my 16-day trip to The Netherlands and Germany so if you expected a reaction than, this is the reason.
But I'm following both of your blogs now. I've been to Japan in 2007...
Love to you,

Mariette

Zaa said...

Ah Mariette..
Your love of rose is safe with me ... Thank You for you kind visit... Pleae do come gain for tea !!!...HUGS

victorian parlor II said...

What a wonderful story! The teacup is lovely and I can understand why you treasure it so. Roses are my favorite flower and I must say that most of my teacups are covered in their velvety petals:).

Blessings,

Kim

Zaa said...

Ha Ha Kim.. I'm not surprised that most of your teacups have roses on them...Your beautiful blog denotes a your charm and love of victoriana and roses... HUGS

Zaa said...

Hey Miss Kathy ..
Thanks for you lovely comments.. The show was " Magic Garden"...CTV...You and I have parallel lives ( Ha ha).... Bright Blessings !!!

Mary said...

I am sure Mrs. Sparrow treasured your teatime visits. I enjoyed reading and sharing in your memory. I am so glad you gave the link to your blog on Flickr. I will be a regular visitor. Have a wonderful day!

Firuzan said...

Such a lovely story and all of beauties on your way. They reflect beauties & warm feelings & exquities.Sending best wishes and loves to you dearest Roslind. XOXO. Firuzan