Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Light Blues



I still have a few more of the darker blue pieces of Stokesay Ware I want to collect. I have a list I am working on. I will almost be sad when I have finished this part of my collection. I get such a thrill when a new piece arrives.

Today two pieces of the light blue china came. They are so beautiful, pictures don't do them justice!!! The pitcher is so fine. Meaning light and thin walled. There is a dish with a hole in it sitting on the top of the slop bucket serving like a funnel. Partially meant to cover the contents from view I assume. ;-)

I find the idea of re-purposing antiquated antiques fun to do in my own home. Since I will have a few modern facilities in my doll house, I am not sure what new use the slop bucket will be put to.

24 comments:

  1. Beautiful light blue pieces!Hope to see more of your great collection soon!:)

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  2. Hi Catherine.....more pretty pieces for your house, they look fabulous! I love how 'fine' the china is and the design is beautiful!!
    ...such good taste...!

    Linda x

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  3. Beautiful pieces! it's the first time I see a pitcher and I understand its use!

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  4. Love the pieces!! Your set up and photo is very pretty. Just wondering where you got your chair? Jenn

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  5. Son unas piezas preciosas!La silla me ha encantado con ese respaldo tan trabajado. Un beso.

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  6. Jenn,

    The chair is from Colin Bird. http://www.colinbird.co.uk/

    His work is really wonderful and the finish he puts on his pieces is gorgeous! I am looking forward to ordering from him again soon.

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  7. Hi Catherine,I totally agree with you,Stokesayware is something special ! I haven't seen the bucket before,love how they make the handle.You really can be proud of your collection !!! Hugs,Jeannette

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  8. I envy your collection of Stokesay Ware! The pitcher is so perfectly proportioned and thin. Lovely [sigh].

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  9. Re-purposing is not needed. Being a woman who make real tea services for a living you most likely do know exactly what this item is but have had a senior moment that spit out the wrong answer. I wish I could give you the clue in person and watch you smack your head when your brain snaps with the answer. It is always fun to see the head smack part.

    So here is the game, I have given the hint now in the paragraph above. Let us see who among the followers has the answer to the real purpose of the beautiful slop jar with the funnel shaped lid.

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  10. I got my answer from Peter at Stokesay. Here it is from his email.

    Slop Pail Lid
    On top of the slop pail there is a separate lid, recessed with a small hole in the centre. Water is poured from the wash jug into the wash basin and used for washing. The used water from the wash basin is then poured into the lid and drains through the hole into the pail. The slop pail can then be carried out using the handle and the water disposed of.
    and clean water poured into the wash jug.
    This is how it went before indoor plumbing.

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  11. He didn't say anything about opening a second story window and yelling out GARDYLOO!

    Still I know that the chamber pot was emptyed into it as well.

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  12. Ooh, glad things have changed, thank heavens for plumbing. Your photo is lovely Catherine and the pale blue Stokesay Ware is pretty, but I think I prefer the darker. It will all look fabulous in your house, or temporarily on your little shelf cabinet!

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  13. Catherine, What wonderful pieces to add to your outstanding collection!!

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  14. Thanks Everyone! actually the light blue is very soft. It appears to be a bit garish in my photos.

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  15. very beautiful, i love this light blue.. i can't drag my eyes off the gorgeous hat and bag.. you have some lovely things!! :)

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  16. They also had slop jars just for emptying the used tea leaves and the cold tea left at the bottom of the cups before a refill of hot tea. Sometimes they were open bowls other times they were jars with lids. I see no reason someone might not have used the funnel lid concept for a tea slop jar. Perhaps the original Peter copied his from was for the washbasin but it is of finish quality and size that it would work on the bottom shelf of a tea trolley. Not exactly a re-purpose, it is another correct use purpose that is suitable for the drawing room. Well they did have chamber pots in both the drawing and dining rooms before the days of indoor plumbing. Men, after the ladies left the room used the pot in the dining room. The ladies went to the withdrawing room where there was a potty chair behind a screen.

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  17. I have seen many slop bowls for tea services. They weren't great buckets. They were in silver and not much larger than a tea cup. I happen to own one though I haven't bothered with using it anymore than I use the stupid grape scissors I have in silver. LOL

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  18. I understand just how you feel....I too have a collection of StokesayWare - I collected for sevral years and used to hold my breath when opening my parcel each month!
    Karen & Peter are also, such lovely people to know.
    Mags

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  20. The collections StokesayWere leave you breathless.
    These pieces you chose are among my favorites, along with jars for the kitchen.
    Not I've never seen them up close (for now!) but we understand very well that these are works of art.
    I love your photos :-)
    Regarding the use of antiques in modern homes: I saw old chamber pots and spittoons, displayed proudly in their living room by the owners!
    When you love antiques...

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  21. Ah, Catherine. How I love looking at your collection of Stokesay! The pale blue is VERY pretty indeed! I love everything they make, and I love seeing your collection expand!

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  22. Son unas piezas precisas y las fotografias con mucho gusto.
    Besos Clara

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  23. Preciosas piezas . Son de exquisito gusto de la ONU.
    Besitos de mayo

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  24. Wonderful things, I like very much the mini books ilustrated.

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