Monday, May 17, 2010

TEA CUP TUESDAY With MARTHA AND TERRI



Today's tea cup has quite a story behind it.

A sister of mine who now lives in California received some gorgeous Bavarian china many years ago.  It featured pink roses and I absolutely loved that set. 

While living in Tucson, Arizona, the local metropolitan newspaper ran a classified ad featuring Bavarian china. Wildly excited over the possibility of having my own set of Bavarian rose covered china, I called.



My husband drove with me to help me find the home of the man selling the china. He said it had belonged to his grandmother and had traveled with him to Arizona from Massachusetts after his grandmother died.  This was a real kicker because I am originally from Massachusetts, too! 
     I remember the day we responded to the newspaper ad. We had a long, hot drive into the Arizona desert to a town far from Tucson.  The man lived way off the beaten path. We drove around bends and curves and past more cacti than I ever want to see again. We finally found the house and I could hardly contain the beating of my own heart.

When the man showed me the china,  disappointment filled me like a ton of bricks. It was not the beautiful Bavarian china my sister had. (I've since found out her pattern is "Moss.")  Rather than shake my head and say "No thanks,"  I just looked at the huge set of cups, dishes, and so forth.  My husband wanted to make me happy that day by buying  Bavarian china I had set my hopes on. He knew I was terribly homesick for Massachusetts, too!  

"We'll buy it, Honey," he said. "We've come out here all this way. If you want it, we'll buy it."

Not wanting to disappoint him, nor the seller, I smiled and said, "Okay." (What a first class wimp I was in those days. ha! ) So into the car went several boxes of the china, made by Heinrich and Co., Selb,  Bavaria. The company was started in 1896. 

On the bottom of one of the cups is a small crown and the company name as well as the word "Palace."   I have never been able to find similar china by that name. However, the pattern is synonymous with "Rosalinda."


There are cascades of pink roses on all pieces. While I've never been crazy about this pattern, it has grown on me over the years. When we moved cross-country to Massachusetts, the china came with us so it's back where it started.

Apparently, this pattern was popular around 1915.  On one website, myTableware.com, it indicated the Rosalinda pattern has been "retired."

So there you have it. That's the story of my cascading roses teacup, and accompanying china, from Bavaria.

For a look at more great tea cups, check Martha and Terri's blogs: http://www.marthasfavorites.com/and http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/.


20 comments:

xinex said...

Your tea cup and saucer are so lovely and adorable! I am glad you bought the china. I love Bavarian china!...Christine

Victorian1885 said...

Beautiful story..the pattern is so sweet! Take care.

Wanda

BECKY said...

It's so delicate and beautiful, Susan! Aren't you glad you didn't pass it up?? And as I read your story, I didn't think you were being a "wimp" at all, but a very kind person!

Denise@alloverroses said...

I loved reading your story. What is so fun about sharing our tea cups is the stories they hold. I think your pattern is beautiful and so glad to hear they have grown on you! You have a very sweet husband by the way!
Denise

kimberly said...

All Bavarian china is my favorite. I can spot it 100 yards away tucked in the corner of an antique shop (well that's a little exaggerated)and YOURS is spectacular! So glad you got it and shared it with us. That's an wonderful story.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

oh dear! my heart beat skips many many beats! this is such beautiful teacup and am so glad you finally bought it! the cup is awesome and preciousl treasure! and the story just lovely! thanks for sharing and have a good week!

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan, I wish all antiques came with their history, don't you? I love this design.

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hello, and Happy Teacup Tuesday :) I so enjoyed reading your story! I must say that I really love the pattern on this teacup, it's so sweet & delicate. I love Bavarian China, I think they make some of the best there is! Hope you will come visit me, as I am having a Giveaway, yeah! Warmest, Brenda

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Now that is some story!! However, I think you made the right choice because it is such a dainty and delicate pattern!

It has an understated elegance that I love!!

Debbie

Chatty Crone said...

You will remember this story forever - of you and your husband's sweet love and good time you had together that day. You built a memory.

I think they are dainty - pretty. Love the roses and the way they cascade.

Sandie

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

When I look at the teacup
after reading the story,
I see love your husband's love for you.
And that's what made the china "grow on you".
XOXOXOXO

Pellie / Penny said...

Such a touching story - you were so generous to rescue that pretty set of china and give it a good loving home.
I happen to think it is rather stunning.
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

susan, it's beautiful....the cup and you...and your story...and your hubby! and....well you get the picture! lol

ciao bella
creative carmelina
xoxo

Terri said...

What a story! I am glad it has grown on you. It is very delicate and beautiful china. What a trip it has been on, from Bavaria to America and across America and back! Thank you for sharing with us today.

Hugs,
Terri

Karen Lange said...

These are always so pretty. I can just picture them sitting on a table with little fancy sandwiches and a pot of tea:)

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

What an interesting story; I enjoyed it! I would like to see more pics of the whole set!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

That is such a sweet story! You know what, I love this china pattern. It is different and so very pretty. Glad you got it and hope you continue to enjoy it!

Susan said...

Hi Everybody! So happy you all came to visit and left comments. You know how much I love to hear from you. Glad you all liked my "Rosalinda" patterned tea cup. Take care and come back soon. Okay? Sincerely, Susan

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

I absolutely LOVE your teacup Susan! And you are right about it being similar to mine today!
Your husband is such a sweetie and I guess you are happy that you were wimpy that day!
Now if you do not love it all THAT MUCH - I would be more than happy to give it a new home ;-))
Only kidding - I know it has fond memories for you and I thank you for sharing the story today!!

Lynn

Jocelyn said...

Very lovely teacup. So dainty.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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