"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 !!!