Strawberry And Silver Teatime

Hello! I hope you are all well and enjoying your forced sabbatical from "normal" life.

We had our groceries delivered a few days ago, and they had some fresh organic strawberries. I couldn't resist!

I put together a strawberry and silver tea in the sunroom...

I had just listed a Hammersley, England Strawberry Ripe pattern strawberry basket, and thought I would use it, as I seldom find one with all the parts...

The pattern is so pretty! Strawberry sets always have a pitcher for cream and either s sugar basin or sugar shaker depending on age and maker. 

This set has has the cream and sugar basin that fit in clever incorporated wells...

I must say, you usually are missing the cream and sugar...

This 3 piece bone china was made in England between 1974-1989 when Hammersley was part of the Spode Group. The pottery was closed and the Hammersley name discontinued in 1989.

I have included this silver strawberry fork, in case you haven't seen one, as they are pretty rare. The Victorians loved having a special utensil for everything, and these were for strawberries.

This particular silver fork was made by by WM Rogers and Son Silver Company, USA in AA plate, which was a top quality heavy plate, in the 1913-1920s and is in the Fair Oak pattern.

To serve the strawberries, I used a set of cut crystal berry bowls in a pretty pattern with feet...

I don't know the maker, but are American and date to the 1950s with a pretty pattern of arches, diamonds etc.

For the sugar, in this case Demarara, I have another Victorian specialty... a sugar sifting spoon. They were designed to sift Demarar or powdered sugar on muffins and crumpets, but work well with Demarara too.

This American silver spoon was made between 1890-1910, but doesn't have a maker mark so I am unsure of the silversmith. Love the shaped holes!

The spoons are a set of 3 sterling silver teaspoons in a French inspired fleur d'lis art nouveau style made by Geo. Shiebler & Company, USA in the Clematis pattern and retailed by Sanders Silver Company, USA in the 1890s.

I always love it when the retailer is identified too. This is during the time Tiffany & Company was importing and retailing many things under their own name, and the Sanders store did as well.

Wishing you health and peace... and a cup pf tea or two!

My wish for you this week, as we all probably need this...