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Ridgways Polychrome Blue Transferware Tablescape


My table tonight features a pattern by Ridgway called Plymouth.  It's a cheery blue transfer with a colorful floral bouquet.







As you all know, I love to layer things so I first covered the table with two red floral drapery panels to create a large covering.  Over that I added a vintage Portuguese tablecloth with cross stitch flowers that tie in with the dishes.  
  
I like layering napkins to...vintage with new.  The white lace were my Mom's and the blue are new.   The floral  napkin rings are made of fabric. 

The blue goblets are Fostoria. Shawn's Mom gave us a set of these about 20 years ago.  The clear bubble glass tumblers are new.  You can buy them 12 to a box at Walmart for about $9.  I like the old fashioned look.



I like the brown version of this pattern equally to the blue.  I haven't listed the blue set to my shop yet, but will soon.  I do have some of the brown plates shown below in my English Transferware shop.
Even if it's only one or two, I love candles at the table. 


Ridgway Potteries Ltd, was founded sometime around 1744.  Sometimes called the Grandfather of the Potteries, the Ridgway family can be traced to the earliest days of the Staffordshire potteries, along with such famous names as Wedgwood, Spode and Adams.  

Under the managment of one family member, John Ridgway, the Ridgway potters were appointed as Potter to Her Majesty Queen Victoria.  This was the highest acclaim for any English pottery firm.

One of the family members, William Ridgway,  operated the Bell Works in Shelton and the Church Works in nearby Hanley from 1830-54.  The Bell Works Pottery at Bethesda Street  has been The Potteries Musuem since 1956 and houses the largest and most important collection of North Staffordshire pottery in the world.


Below is an old photo of some 19th Century bottle kilns at Ridgways factory in Shelton. These were some of the largest kilns in the area.  They were used as air raid shelters during WWII and seems shameful that they were demolished in the 1960's.
photo:  Tideswellman

 

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Comments

  1. Very pretty table setting! The brown plate in the Plymouth pattern is nice also, I'm finding I like brown transfer ware, more and more. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I enjoyed the history of as well as looking at your lovely creative table. Thanks for sharing.
    - Joy

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  3. I absolutely love the Blue transfer ware!! This is a gorgeous table setting!

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  4. So pretty! I love candles at the table too.

    xo
    Pat

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  5. Simply gorgeous! I love it equally in the brown as well as the blue!~Hugs, Patti

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  6. I always leave here having learned something. Love the blue transferware especially on the red tablecovering! it just seems to pop. thanks for sharing. xo marlis

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  7. Oh, what a lovely table! Love those pretty dishes and how you've layered your table cloths! You always do such a beautiful job and I love the info attached!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. Those plates are so pretty! I love how they look on your table Nancy~as always!

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  9. Off topic, but I read - uh, somewhere? I forget - yesterday that Spode has moved all of its transferware operations to China? Do you know if that's true? If so, then new Spode would not be English transferware at all!

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  10. You do such a lovely job with the layering of the cloths! I really struggle using patterned cloths and you seem to do it effortlessly. Beautiful dishes!

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  11. Nancy, this table is simply stunning, love the color combo, the linens and dishes, fabulous! xo,

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  12. Hi Deb,

    Did you read my last post? If not, please do as I specifically talked about the English potters moving operations to China and Malaysia. There is only one firm left making 'real' transferware in England and that is Burleigh. I'll be writing more about it in another post. Spode actually filed bankruptcy and did move offshore. Very sad.

    Nancy

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  13. Nancy, you are very skilled with adding layers of interest. This is a lovely table. The depth of the blue rim on those plates is gorgeous. Thanks for always teaching us about these pieces and their makers.

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  14. How pretty your blue china is. It looks quite chereful on your table.

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  15. Nancy, Thanks for sharing your beautiful table at my party! Love the dishes and the pretty cross stitch tablecloth.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  16. I love how your layered your table and how beautifully the colors all are together....I am off to Walmart for a set of those bubble glasses! I need some and haven't found any I liked until I saw yours!
    HPS!
    Jil

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  17. This is set of Eng, china is got to be the most gorgeous and sweet...I usually say that about every one you post, Nancy! I want this one, and I agree, love the brown too! I love your cross stitch table topper and your mother's too, I like the way you paired them. Hope you come by Pink Sat. and visit if you have time. Have a terrific weekend pretty lady. FABBY

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  18. These are so very pretty, especially with your magic touch!. Plus, you are a wealth of information with your history lessons!

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  19. The Ridgways Plymouth is a lovely pattern, and I love it paired with the red of the drapery panels. The brown is wonderful, too. I have a set of Ridgways, Lynton that I enjoy using. Thank you for sharing another beautiful design. Cherry Kay

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  20. You have all the right pretties to set a grand table.

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  21. I love the table setting.
    So lovely.

    Cassy from Acoustic Guitar Lessons

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  22. I love your table -- those are lovely plates and I love how you used all the floral tablecloths together and I adore those new blue and white napkins -- where did you get them?

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  23. Loved the dishes and goes so well with the red table clothe.

    Wonderfully setting.

    xoxo
    Karin Şen Cankan
    karinsfairytale.blogspot.com

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  24. Oh Nancy,
    Your table looks terrific.
    You are the queen of tablescapes and layering such lovely heirloom pieces.
    This is gorgeous.
    xx
    Alison

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  25. Your table and dishes are beautiful. I love any dishes with flowers on them. I like how the blue on the dishes picks up the blue in the red flowered table cloth. Very pretty! Pamela

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  26. Gorgeous dishes. Love the cross stitch cloth- quite exquisite.

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  27. Hi Nancy, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment today. Blessings, Pamela

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  28. Oh Nancy,
    I always enjoy hearing about your transferware! this pattern is lovely! Thanks for linking it to Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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