A Birthday Table Born in the 30s

I loved setting this table! I set it to celebrate my dad’s birthday. When I set a table, and specially when it is for a special occasion, I try to choose elements that tell a story and have meaning.

In this case, and since my dad was born in the 30s, I wanted to choose elegant pieces from that period. I also knew that I wanted to feature these very unique plates (sometimes also referred to as coasters) by Wallace Silversmiths, in the Rose Point pattern, that feature a painted cross-stitch (at times, erroneously called needlepoint) motif on the glass center. We have been collecting them for about 20 years, and they have been a favorite of my dad from the beginning. Therefore, it was only fitting to celebrate his birthday by setting the table with “HIS” plates! Bonus? They are blue, and although dainty, I could infuse a bit of masculinity here!

So let me share with you the details about this table…

Without doubt, my favorite pieces are the 1900s pierced sterling silver Gorham candle shades, which I recently acquired. I had been hunting them forever, but I could only find silver plated ones, so when I found this pair (plus another two that I will feature in future tables), I jumped at purchasing them! They came with their original candle pushers, mica liners (so that the fringed, silk liner wouldn’t catch fire!) and the beaded silk liners. These liners were available in pastel colors, which added to the ambiance of the table.

From my research, I learned that these types of shades were probably used in the White House, from 1915-1921, because the second wife of president Woodrow Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, owned a whooping 20 of the silver plated version by Gorham!

I have already mentioned the sterling silver Wallace plates in the Rose Point pattern. This pattern is a favorite in my family for holloware pieces, and we have many pieces, including those with plate etching glass, which was a collaboration with the Cambridge glass factory (the cake platter is Cambridge/Rose Point). The Rose Point pattern debuted in 1934 (my dad was born in 1936), and has become one of the most famous Wallace patterns in history! It was part of a 6-pattern series called “Three Dimensional Beauty”, which also included the famous Grande Baroque (which is our sterling flatware pattern, and you can see it here).

The sterling silver chargers or “dinner” plates are also by Wallace, in their 3750-9 pattern, which dates back to the teens or twenties. The sterling water goblets are by Alvin, and the cut glass champagne coupes are the Frontenac pattern, by the Cataract-Sharpe company in Buffalo, New York. The Frontenac pattern was part of their “Rock Sharpe” series. The Cataract-Sharpe company were expert crystal cutters, who bought the goblet “blanks” from many different crystal manufacturers, including Bryce Brothers and Heisey. This pattern, in particular, was from the Libbey Glass Division of Owens-Illinois, and it is also from the 30s.

The Madeira embroidery tablecloth is Marghab. If you know anything about linens, you probably have heard of Marghab, which was a company founded in 1933 by a husband and wife; he from England, she American. Until it closed, it provided the highest quality linens and embroideries in the world!

The pearl handle flatware is from 1847 Rogers Bros., and I have featured it before (here and here). The teacup–believe or not–is modern, but with a decidedly vintage feel, and it is a pattern by Mikasa called “Something Old”, which is part of a wedding pattern trilogy.

Finally, I used an Andrea by Sadek cachepot that I placed on top of a Gorham sterling gallery tray made for Shreve, Crump & Low in 1910.

The verdict? My dad loved his table (and the afternoon tea and birthday cake too!) I certainly hope you like it too!

I tried to find many of the same or similar pieces on Ebay and Etsy for you! You could also shop at Replacements, LTD because they always have the most incredible selection.

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