Sweet Violets Nippon Tea Cups

 

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." Mark Twain

I’m not sure when or why it started, but my sweet, dear grandmother, who has now been gone for 25+ years, started giving me violet pieces, I’d guess when I was in my late teens/early twenties. Mostly she gave me porcelain pill boxes—darling little footed things that to this day I cherish and display in our old secretary. That will be another post to share—soon!

Even though my sister-in-law and I live exactly one hour away from each other—or perhaps for that very reason—we make the effort to have lunch once every month or so, to share our many passions: family, home, all things beautiful, auctions…believe me, those are loooonnnggg, lovely lunches. And yes, there’s also the occasional tear, and memories shared too. With the holidays and the busy new year we’ve missed a few lunches, and recently she sent me this picture, saying, “Look what I got.”~ I texted back, “OMG! I HAVE to have them!! I’m trying to collect violet things because Ati [my grandmother] used to get them for me. Can I buy them from you?”

She replied, “I knew you would love them. I got them just for you! They were meant to be a surprise that I didn’t keep. You’ll just have to wait so I can surprise you.”

I asked, “How did you know I love violet things?”

She simply said, “I listen when you talk.”

Now, isn’t that what we all want and need? To have things that are near to our hearts and shared be heard? That comment touched my heart.

The Saturday before Valentine’s Day we had a small dinner party at our house, and she and my brother were invited…I am happy to report that the sweet, darling violet tea cups (I’m pretty sure they’re actually hot-chocolate cups) are now at home in our china cabinet! That’s another post, for another day too. :)

She brought them over as a hostess gift, with a lovely, vintage-looking card—with what else? Violets, of course!

Don’t you just love the ring and cuff detail on the soft, feminine hand?

For the card vignette I used the tea/chocolate cups, as well as two violet dishes I’ve had for quite some time…

The one on top was my own long-ago purchase, and the soft-yellow one was a gift my MIL allowed me to choose as a birthday present. Nosegays of tiny flowers and gold flourishes…lovely and feminine.

And I wonder if she knew~she probably did, because she just knows things like this~that February’s birth flower is the violet  ?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the violet signifies watchfulness, loyalty, and faithfulness. It also says, “Give a violet to someone to let them know you'll always be there for them.” I like to think we will be there for each other for many years to come.

Violet Tea Party ~

I’ve been so anxious to do a sweet tea party vignette with these cups, and today, being a sunny, beautiful-but-bitterly-cold day was the perfect day to play [indoors].

It’s tea (or hot chocolate) for two…I truly hope some day she and I will be able to enjoy tea together, at my table, with her darling gift.

Look at the detail! Those of you who know me well know that I love detail and workmanship. These little darlings say “Nippon” and “Hand Painted”—just what I love! I’d like to think my sweet grandmother would’ve gotten these for me as well, and I’m so happy to now have some from my sister-in-law.

The rims of the cups and saucers have a beautiful scalloped detail.

The gold demitasse spoons are of course perfect for these tiny cups. I’ve had them for many years and was happy to use them today!

  Hand-painted porcelain, violets, pearls, and vintage cutwork runner…my kind of tea party!

Oh, yes, and silver! Have you ever tried the Melaleuca G’Day tea? It’s delicious, and because it contains tea tree oil (did I say “tea” tree oil?!), it was perfect for the occasion!

Fostoria Willowmere footed sugar and creamer.

So what’s your pleasure? Tea or hot chocolate? I’ll have them ready; let me know when you’ll be arriving!

And do you have a definitive answer on whether they’re tea cups or hot chocolate cups? Like I said, I think they were originally intended for hot chocolate, in the days when items had intended purposes, but today we can thankfully be more carefree about those things, so when you join me, you’ll certainly be able to enjoy the use of the cups—for tea OR hot chocolate!

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Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

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From my nest to yours~

    Zuni