Valentine Transferware

This fine collection of red and white Transferware includes a plate of particular interest...

Another Chatsworth House, a.k.a. Mr. Darcy's Pemberley, plate! The view is of the house in 1792. I love how this dish illustrates the house from the side, from the River Derwent, through the arches of the bridge (which pictures the statue that is no longer there), nestled in the foliage. The clouds look like pointillism. In 1792 I suppose Mr. Darcy would have been a boy playing in these grounds, or, you know...diving into the lake! (Hope that induced a Happy Valentine's swoon!)

Dundee Marmalade Jars

These marmalade jars have a talent for popping up in décor magazine vignettes, and it just so happens that I have a few on hand from thrifting jaunts. Judging by this article, the jar on the left is from the 1860s and the jar on the right is post-1960. The striking black logo on the stoneware makes them pretty storage containers.

Ottawa Parliament Plate

What an appropriate thrifting find this is, considering it's January 2017, the beginning of Canada's 150th year! This souvenir plate features Ottawa's Parliament buildings. The back is stamped with "Johnson Bros England The Old Dominion" which indicates that it's likely pre-1920. Parliament as we know it today was completed by 1922, the Peace Tower added in 1927. The curious thing, though, is that the plate's illustration doesn't exactly represent the current Parliament...or the Parliament that burned down in 1916. Was it created between 1916 and 1920 as a proposed design of the new building? Is it some stock image of a British castle from the library of Transferware designs? Or maybe it's just a bit of artistic license? Hmm...

Chatsworth House a.k.a. Darcy's Pemberley

 The other day my mom bought a plate at Value Village, loving the Transferware pattern and thinking the house on it looked familiar. Our suspicions were correct because when we looked it up we discovered she had purchased a plate featuring Mr. Darcy's house! Swoon! When it comes to Pride and Prejudice adaptations I definitely fall into the category of Jane Austen accuracy purists and prefer the 1995 version. That being said, when I saw the 2005 adaptation I was blown away by the filming of the scenery. In particular the footage of Chatsworth House, a.k.a. Pemberley, a.k.a. the house on the plate, is gorgeous!

 That's right, Mrs. and Mr. Gardiner--I feel the same way.

 I mean look at that checkerboard!

 And that staircase with the grand carvings!

 And oh how I would adore a room of marble statues in my house.

There he is: the notorious Mr. Darcy in the marble.

Then, later, we see Lizzy flee out the side of the imposing stone mansion...

Followed, of course, by the tension-filled romantic conversation overlooking the stunning gardens. Such breathtaking cinematography!