January 25, 2017

Lunar New Year

I love the variety of holidays and special occasions there are during the winter months. Each comes with its own symbols and traditions celebrated around the table. For the Lunar New Year I've gathered some things for an Americanized version of a Chinese dinner. So come with me to dinner at eight.


January 28 is New Year's Day, the first day of the Chinese lunar year. Celebrations have begun and may continue for two weeks. And each celebration will be drenched with color. Deep, vibrant jewel tones!


A dragon from Greg's collection has alighted on the sapphire cloth in the center. I love the saturated hue and the sheen of the fabric. It has a wonderful drape that holds its own against the dragon.


Mythological creatures and flowers are often found in Chinese art -- and on these salad plates and soup bowls.






Underneath are dinner plates in a complementary blue and white, with gold flowers on the rims. They are part of a full service for twelve that I had eyed for several months at the antique mall. I bought the set when the total price hovered around the current cost elsewhere of only two place settings.

I have kept the table bare, enjoying the deep tones of the wood beneath the explosion of colors.


Each place is set with wooden chopsticks and ceramic soup spoons with various flowers. I have had the soup spoons since college -- and we still use them frequently!

The sheer napkins shimmer in the light and are ringed by vaguely Asian holders. These were given to me several years ago by a friend who doesn't usually go for such pretty table elements.


I added the deep red balloon wine glasses to honor the Year of the Fire Rooster. Red is also the symbol for energy, happiness and good luck, which is welcome in any year! Wishes for a safe and peaceful new year are bestowed in red envelopes.


I have a small collection of horses in print, metal and ceramics. Four Tang-style horses that I found 20 years ago in Highlands, NC, lend their charms to the place settings.

 



Tea cups are set on the buffet, on either side of the cranes which are considered auspicious and a symbol of longevity. The cranes can also be seen here.


Thanks for sharing the celebration with us!


 


Resources  
Salad plates, bowls | Williams-Sonoma 'New Moon'
Dinner plates, tea cups | Noritake 'Lamarre'
Wine goblets | Marquis by Waterford 'Vintage'




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18 comments:

  1. Sandra LeeJanuary 26, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    This is stunning and those jewel tones are so pretty!

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  2. Pam~ Virginia RetroJanuary 26, 2017 at 3:53 PM

    I am loving your beautiful tablescape. The dishes are just amazing! Good for you getting them for a fab price. Visiting from BNOTP.

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    1. SandraJanuary 26, 2017 at 4:36 PM

      Thanks for dropping by. You never know what you'll find at the antique store

      Delete
  3. EntertablementJanuary 30, 2017 at 5:30 PM

    Love how well the New Moon salad plates coordinate with the Lamarre dinner plates! Scrumptious!

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  4. The Little Yellow Corner StoreJanuary 30, 2017 at 8:47 PM

    Some really beautiful and unique pieces. I fell in love with all of it, especially the horses, cranes and your lovely salad and soup bowls. It is so beautifully done and the blue fabric and dragon as a centerpiece adds so much richness. Very lovely.

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    1. SandraJanuary 30, 2017 at 9:39 PM

      Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me. I love color and this is such a great holiday to play with all the vibrant shades!

      Delete
  5. Chloe CrabtreeFebruary 2, 2017 at 12:01 AM

    What a lovely table! The blue is stunning and the dragon and dishes are beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!

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    1. SandraFebruary 2, 2017 at 11:27 AM

      Thanks, Chloe, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's always a treat to link to Celebrate Your Story!

      Delete
  6. Botanic BleuFebruary 2, 2017 at 3:36 PM

    Love your horses on the table with the beautiful china... When I visited China, I bought two similar horses, one for my sister and one to keep. Thanks for joining Monday Social.

    Judith

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    1. SandraFebruary 3, 2017 at 12:39 AM

      Visiting China must have been fascinating. Of all my horses, I like the Tangs the best! Thanks for visiting (and hosting Monday Social).

      Delete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2018 at 12:24 AM

    I love those plates. I collect Asian plates and pieces, especially the blue and white. Recently, I spotted a teapot at GW and bought it. The next day they had the matching platter. Thinking I was protecting it, I put it in the child seat behind my tote bag. Would you believe the cart had a big slot where it fell through and chipped ? I almost cried in the store and bought it anyway. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. SandraFebruary 13, 2018 at 1:46 PM

      Oh no! I can get attached very quickly to china pieces that are beautiful, and can totally relate to how you must have felt when the platter was chipped. I'm glad you bought it anyway - I hope it still brings you pleasure. Thanks for visiting!

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  8. Linda Barnby | Hello Sweet LifeFebruary 14, 2018 at 3:43 AM

    So inventive! Beautiful tables cape!

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  9. Katie MansfieldFebruary 20, 2018 at 2:23 PM

    So pretty. You really have some gorgeous china.

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    1. SandraFebruary 20, 2018 at 4:05 PM

      Thanks, Katie! For the last couple of years I have really been enjoying hunting pretty china in antique malls, vintage stores and eBay. It's a shame that younger folks aren't interested in fine china and are passing up the chance to inherit and own beautiful works of art for the table.

      Delete

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