The Year of the Dragon

In the midst of the dark days of winter comes the first new moon. This year it will occur on February 10, which begins the next lunar year. Millions of people around the world follow the lunar calendar, In many cultures, each year is also associated with an animal from the zodiac. This year it will be the dragon — believed to be an auspicious and extraordinary creature, symbolizing power, nobility, honor, luck and success. To channel a bit of all that I set a table to enjoy a celebration of our own!

  

To style a table I start from a variety of inspirational ideas or items, including table linens, dishware, crystal, or flowers/botanical elements. For my lunar new year table, I started with one of Greg's ceramic dragons as the centerpiece. It's wonderfully detailed, primarily in greens and golds. I placed it on satin fabric I've had for a long time.

  

  

For the place settings I chose silky placemats and coordinating napkins in a chartreuse/bronze green depending on the angle of light. (The greens go together better IRL — blame the photographer!) The silk is a nod to the Silk Road, the network of routes that for more than 1,500 years facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between diverse cultures in the East and West.

  

It seemed an appropriate choice for a table that mixes a variety of elements!

Lunar new year themed salad plates and soup bowls are set on English china, paired with mid-century bar glasses (seen in  Mums Lead the Way to Fall), gold forks and chopsticks.

Above the plate stack are mini cast-metal dragons. (I used two of the dragons in the lower right photo.)

I've really enjoyed these plates and bowls! I think the design around the outside of the bowls mimics dragon scales,

  

while the interior features the dragons from the plates.

I love all the vibrant colors and patterns on the table! Especially during cold winter days short of sunlight.

There are two designs for the salad plates. One with elaborate dragons and what appear to be oranges.

  

The other has a pheasant among flowers and organic elements.

I thought the swirling lines on these glasses echoed those in the plate designs.

  

I chose the forks because the intricate design on the handles echoed that of the plates. In contrast the chopsticks have simpler shapes. Asian style soup spoons — that I've had since college!! — are on the other side below the bowls.

I'm hoping that the new year lives up to its auspicious dragon namesake!

For more tables styled for the lunar new year visit Chinese New Year, Vintage Style in golds and reds, featuring pheasants; Year of the Dog inspired by Blanc de Chine porcelain figurines including a fabulous dragon; and Lunar New Year with horses and another magnificent dragon.

 

Table details

Salad plates, bowls | Williams Sonoma 'New Moon'

Dinner plates | Royal Doulton 'Alice'

Dragons | personal collection

    

    

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