Tea Time Thursday #12 ~ More China Painting

I am almost too late for Tea Time Thursday, but the clock hasn't chimed midnight yet, so here goes!
Years ago, Jimmy and I went to a sale that was just filled with china painted items. I didn't know much about china painting, but I did think these china snack trays were beautiful. I picked out four floral sets, all different, and packed them away. I just got them out again and to my surprise, they were dated 1947 and 1949. I always thought they were painted in the 1980's.

They would be perfect for a tea with special friends. I wasn't even into tea when I purchased them. Interesting where life takes you along your journey.

Of course, the pansy set is my favorite. I love anything with those cute little pansy faces!

This set features  sweet purple and white little violets. Don't you like the oval shape of the dish?

The fuschia set is different, yet pretty. I was just thinking about a fuschia hanging plant for my backyard.

I always think of my daughter Gina when I see a morning glory. For some reason, she always loved them. This set is so soft and dainty.

Each cup and each plate is signed by Blanche Martindale on the bottom.

I'm sure glad I decided to save these. Now it's time to use them....right?

I did a bit of gardening earlier this week and I am ready to jump in. The weather is supposed to be great next week, so that may be the time for planting...at least cleaning out flower beds. All these painted flowers are making me long for spring flowers.

Tea Time Thursday and China Painting

I have always been fascinated by handpainted china. Jim gave me this little pamphlet on china painting and it's really interesting. I pulled out a few pieces that I own and have a few more to share in the coming weeks. I thought it would be fun to share some teacups for Tea Time Thursday.

 Roses were a favorite thing for woman to paint. This teacup was given to me by the lady who bought my shoppe from me. It had been done by a family member and she thought I would like to have it. She was right! It's marked Germany on the bottom and I couldn't find a signature.

I've had the vase for years and it has a dainty band of flowers around the top. It has an interesting mark on the bottom. It's marked Royal Austrian and then it has a red mark that says The Buchanan Studio Handpainted Indianapolis.

I've had the little oil lamp for years and I think it's just adorable. No markings on it but tiny sweet roses are painted all around.

This pink cup and saucer is quite pretty. It's also marked Austrian. I like the gold bands inside the cup.
Gold trims seems to be the favorite color for trim.

I keep this little oval handpainted dish in my bathroom to hold little compacts. It's just perfect.

The book was published in 1914.  It walks you through paint mixing, patterns, shading, paints,  trims, firing and just about everything you need to know to become a china painter. China painting was an enjoyable hobby for women in the 1900's and a way for women to have a creative occupation. It fell out of fashion during WWII when the blank china from Europe was not able to be shipped and the jobs that women chose were different.

Pretty, pretty! Flowers were one of the favorite subjects for china painters. I know my great aunt on my mother's side did china painting. We have two pieces of her work that is signed. It's packed away with my mother's china and I would love to be the caretaker of them someday.