Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

A Happy Solution . . .


My tea service was assembled over time -- a tea pot, a coffee pot, a hot water kettle (which is monogrammed with my  initials), sugar and creamer and a "waste" bowl which I often use for sugar cubes.


A tea service needs a tray and I found a silver one somewhere.    And before acquiring the hot water kettle, it was sufficient.     But with the addition of the kettle, it seemed small.

I had a bigger tray but it had a gradoon edge and somehow the tea set didn't look right!     And so I was on the hunt!

And I found . . .


This beautiful rectangular silver tray.     With a great border and acorns on the ends of the handles.    The center of the tray is engraved.


Mr. and Mrs. F. Curry
Amherst Military Band
1895

I'm a sucker for anything engraved -- especially silver pieces.     And it helps to date the tray -- it dates at least to 1895.    I would assume that Mr. Curry perhaps was the band leader of the Amherst Military Band and the tray was from a grateful band for his leadership over the years!


I think the tea service looks smashing on it!!!!

It's a small change but I am joining Susan at Between Naps On the Porch for Met Monday.

17 comments:

FABBY'S LIVING said...

The stunning tea service looksw amazing in that, pretty, antique engraved tray! Love little/big changes like this! Have a great week.
FABBY

Two Cottages And Tea said...

Beautiful tray and tea set! Love that it has the date on the tray. I have a silver tray and and tea set from my Mother-in-law. It was boxed up so long and tarnished that it now has pit marks on it. I still love it though, and feel so honored to have it.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

This is beautiful. Your silver is pleased with having more space and such a lovely border.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a beautiful piece. I just love silver, even if I do have to polish it!

Bookie said...

Wow, Martha! This looks so great! I love the tray that you found and that it works so well for what you wanted. I don't do silver myself, but I do love to look at yours. A couple of years ago my neighbor passed away and her auction was LOADED with sliver things like you show today...it went for pennies. But I had no place to put it for either use or storage. So thanks for sharing yours today!

Gram said...

WOW, beautiful!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Whact a find and perfect for the whole collection to be showcased!

Michelle said...

Stunning! You have a lovely service. I love silver and I've always found it oddly relaxing to polish it!
xo,
Michelle

Martha said...

Michelle -- as do I!!! When I had my first knee replacement surgery, polishing the silver napkin rings was an "Occupational Therapy" chore that I did -- not told to mind you, but figured that I ought to be up doing something. Second knee it was the copper pots!

When I have time, I do love to sit and polish and think about those who had these pieces before I!

Jocelyn said...

Wow what a gorgeous tray!! We know a family by the name of Curry ;-)

podso said...

Lovely tea service with a story! That's the best.

Martha said...

So do we!

OceanFoam said...

Dear Martha,
What lovely silver you have!! That tray is really so special. I feel the same way about monograms. Someone loved it enough or it was a special gift to have it personalized like that.
You were patient to collect that over time and Wow-so beautiful and all the more unique.
Please come visit Lady B and me. We have a tea giveaway you may like.
Ruthie
http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com

Pondside said...

Your solution is a lovely one. Looking at your photos reminds me that it's time for a good polish of my tea service.

On Crooked Creek said...

Martha,
A perfect size to hold all your magnificient silver pieces!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Mimi said...

HI!!!!
I think your SILVER tea set is Stunning...so regal and so refined to serve up some tea from a real silver tea pot!!!!I would love to join you sometime!!!
I would love to own a set like that......I have silver jewelry from Tiffany's and it is SO much work keeping it looking nice....so an entire tea set would be ALOT of work!!!!
But I sure would enjoy it!!!!
Hugs,
jamie--MIMI

Rowan said...

What a great find - your tea service looks really good on it too.