One of my most treasured possessions is the antique tea set given to me by my grandmother, Phyllis Grace Geake (nee Weaver). It had belonged to her mother, Florence Smale, and it is thought to have been a wedding present when she married Henry Weaver. Thus this lovely Crown Staffordshire 12 place china set probably dates before 1915.
Florence Smale’s Antique Tea Set
The set comprises 12 cups and saucers, 12 tea plates, 2 large cake plates, a sugar bowl, milk jug, tea pot and hot water jug with metal lid (my favourite item).
The base of one of the Crown Staffordshire cups
White with delicate yellow flowers mixed with gold patterns mounted on pink with a green border and gold edging, there is a single hairline crack in one of the cups, otherwise the set is perfect.
Detailing on one of the Plates
Hot Water Jug
When I was growing up, my gran used to have the tea set on display in a glass cabinet. I know it meant a lot to her as she was orphaned before the age of 5 and so to have something of her mother’s must have been of special significance.
Crown Staffordshire Antique Tea Set
I sometimes wonder how often Florence used the set and I presume it came out on special occasions only, although this presumption could be wrong. It’s wonderful to have in one’s possession something tangible, an item linking to a generation of yesteryear.
Crown Staffordshire Teapot
