When I worked for Bloomingdale's in
the Fine China and Crystal department I spent years selling the latest, most
exclusive and cherished tableware in the world. I believed in the products that
I was selling and I loved working for a store that prided itself on having the
newest products, and trends.
However, long before I worked for
Bloomingdales I had developed an intense love for old things. This affinity was
first fostered by my Mother and my Grandmother. Even after all these years
going to trade shows in New York and looking at the products for the season to
come, I still somehow always feel a need to create appreciation for all the
products that came before.
In my family I am known as the
"old china pattern detective". I find strange pleasure in endless
searches on eBay and replacements.com for additional pieces for china patterns
that have been long forgotten. To me when I use vintage or antique tableware I
feel like I am using things that have a soul. I don't think people think about
all of the wonderful occasions their vintage or family heirloom tableware has
seen. I think sometimes we live in such a disposable culture that we forget
that these old things are a part of our heritage. They are the pretty things
that tell a story about where we came from and where we are going.
The dish featured in the photo above
is from a set given to me my mother-in-law, Agneta. I ate on them as a guest in
her house for many years before they were passed down to me and my
sister-in-law. Even though some of the dishes have chips I would never even
think about throwing them away for a new set. The dishes have been part of
family gatherings here in Sweden for three generations now. I never met my
husband's grandparents before they passed away, but using their china makes me
feel closer to them and part of our family story.
