Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Teacup Tuesday





I married into an Austrian family and when I say Austrian, I mean from Austria. This tea set is from Austria. I know this because first it says Austria underneath the cups, plates and everything else, but mostly because my husbands grandmother brought it to America after WWII. In German, Oma means grandmother so when I write Oma you'll know who I'm talking about. She was a a very young girl living in Austria when she married in 1920 at the ripe old age of 18 as this was part of her dowry. Oma and Opa (grandfather in German) moved to Germany out in the country and lived there on a farm for some time...until the war began. Along with the 3 children they moved from country to country trying to avoid trouble and looking for work. They lived in Hungry, Yugoslavia and back to Austria all the while traveling with this tea set and everything else. With the help of Catholic Services, they arrive here in America around 1951 and finally settled in Los Angeles.

Fast forward to 1992 when Oma passed away at the really ripe age of 90. Having visited her on many occasions, she knew I like this set because she displayed it in her china cabinet and we talked about it. After her passing, my mother in law asked me if I wanted it...





Of course I wanted it. Nobody, including Oma knew anything about it. Like I said, it has the word "Austria" on the underneath and the number 13 on most of the pieces.
It's cream color with a delicate orange and blue floral pattern with gold rim. I have the large tea pot with lid, creamer w/o lid and 4 cups and saucers.
I have never used it nor will I ever, but as you can see, I use it as a center piece in my dinning room from time to time....and this is my favorite teacup/tea set for obvious reasons...






Thank you Martha my Dear for inviting me to tea.

25 comments:

  1. I enlarged the picture to get a closer look. Not only is it gorgeous and beautiful BUT the history behind it..WOW..makes it even more exquisite!! thank you for sharing the story. I really enjoyed it....

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  2. What a lovely set..super charming..and so special being your Oma's..what a lovely read..fabulous story!
    Happy Tea!
    Kiki~

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  3. Bun Bun, I love this, it's so pretty but what I love best is the history behind it.

    I hope you have a lovely day!

    LuLu♥

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  4. Beautiful set. I love the colors!

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  5. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing them. Isn't it great to have things with a story behind them to pass on?

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  6. It is a beautiful set and what a beautiful story to go with it!
    Debbie

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  7. it's so nice to collect, isn't it...
    this is really pretty...

    thanks for sharing!
    ciao bella
    creative carmelina

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  8. Oh Tea time...the best invention of man mostly for woman's sake!!! LOVELY!!! Anita

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  9. Bunny: Wow! What a beautiful set! I think it is so precious that it was your Grandma's. I only have this small little butterfly tray from my Grandma, not very pretty, but precious to me. You got both! Thank you so much for being a part of Tea Cup Tuesday. It is so special to have you. Wishing you a wonderful day. Blessings, Martha

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  10. I wonder if your Oma would appreciate, that after dragging it countless miles, country after country, and I would be willing to bet, using it, her granddaughter-in-law only looked at it...you should use it, even if only on those occaisions when you know nothing can harm it...it is beautiful..

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  11. What a beautiful tea set!!! Such beautiful memories too!!!
    xxxx

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  12. Hi Bunny!
    Such a sweet tea service and being a family heirloom makes it even more sweet!! Lucky you!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing it!!
    Lynn

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  13. I, too, had an OMA. And your photos of the teacup set is charming! Loved visiting you! Hope you will post another Austrian set next week. What a beautiful country it is...I was there once and would go back in a heartbeat!

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  14. What a lovely tea set~ How lovely to have such a keepsake. Thanks you for sharing your story about your Oma~ All my best, Theresa

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  15. Hi Bunny, Austria as in where the Governator is from! I adore your little tea set and what a great story behind it. Definitely something to treasure always. I collect teapots and have the scattered all over the house. One day I would love a silver set.

    Have a great week! Bonnie

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  16. Very pretty! Austria is such a gorgeous county! I have been lucky enough to visit there several times! What a lovely tea service!

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  17. What a lovely set, and such a story behind it, a real treasure.

    My niece Kelly (above) did German A level and still calls me Tante (Aunt).

    Hugs RosieP x

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  18. I really did enjoy reading about your grandparents travels, and seeing your heirloom tea set. Thank you for sharing : )

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  19. What a unique print on the tea set...it's just adorable!!

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  20. How dainty! But the story behind it ... where it's been and how long it's survived - love it. You will definitely have to give this to Raquel when she marries. I love the idea of heirlooms and all that family history. Beautiful.

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  21. Hi, Bunny,
    A very sweet tea set and even sweeter because of the story behind it!! Thanks for sharing this beautiful story! Have the loveliest of weeks, my friend! Vicki

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  22. What a great history behind your lovely teaset. Would look beautiful with flowers displayed as a centerpiece even if you don't want to use it for tea. Although I'm thinking after all its travels, it would certainly hold up to almost anything! :) Blessings to you dear Bunny! Have a great day. Tammy

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  23. If it could talk I bet that tea set could tell some stories. Thanks for sharing this Bunny, it's so very pretty and it must be very special to you. I'm always fascinated by the history of things!

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  24. It's wonderful that you got the tea set Bunny! I loved Austria!!!! Empress Elizabeth was my favorite. When I visited the palace I thought now she was ahead of her time. Have you ever visted Austria? If not you should. But, in the mean time... enjoy your treasure from OMA. HUGS! Charlene

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  25. Bunny, That's so wonderful. I remember when you met Eric, how his family was so different from what you were used to. Who woulda known. I'm happy for you; you got a good man and a good family.

    Bedg

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Go 'head...say it already!