[Athena E.]

Fine China Sets​

Who remembers the fine china sets that were treasured gifts at Kitchen Teas and Weddings? Back then, a gleaming tea set was a rite of passage into married life, proudly displayed in the cabinet or carefully brought out for guests. These days, they’re harder to spot, but some still shine at high tea gatherings where the cups and saucers get their moment to sparkle.

Source: Freepik

Many still cherish a set handed down from Mum or Nana—maybe a Royal Albert Country Rose, maybe something simpler, but always special. Do you still have yours? Tell us the story behind your set!

 

[Benny's Light]

Ours sits in the buffet cupboard and has not been used for years. I also have my Mum's Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Wedgewood sets. None are used which is a waste, but I cannot part with them. There are also my mother's tea sets. We are more into the casual sets that we use all time and look classy on the table. Growing up my parents had many dinner parties with the good china and silverware (like Downton Abbey), a thing of the past. We find that our entertaining today is more casual. My mother would roll in her grave if she saw how we set the table today, without the silver cutlery for each course lined up in order. It is all from another time.

 

[Penny4]

I've have lots of them from my mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Some I use all the time, like a few small pretty bowls being Hammersley & Co, James Kent Ltd and Royal Winton. They're good for holding my tea strainer. The sad thing is English bone china isn't worth much these days, due to demand.

 

[PepeLePew]

Don't have any of my own but I do have my parents setting that they received as a wedding gift in 1954.

 

[Wendy]

I have a Royal Albert Sweet Peas tea set in the Friendship range that I was given as an engagement present in 1966. Still sitting in the cabinet only used a couple of times. My daughter has her eye on it for when I'm not here.

 

[Taurusgirl]

I was given a full Noritake dinner set for a wedding gift from my Mum and Dad 55years ago and I use it when I have guests over . The butter dish has now broken so I put out the butter in its (plastic) container and apologised for the China dish . Always get a laugh .

 

[Robyn M for Mary]

I have my set which was a complete dinner and tea set. A wedding present from my parents along with a complete cutlery set as well. It is a Royal Albert set. I also have a set of my mother’s that I put on lay-bys and paid a little off every week to give her as a Mother’s Day gift as her original set had some breakages. I still use them both at Christmas and always decorate the table. I think the family would think I was sick if I didn’t decorate.