this week's treasure chest features a somewhat mysterious item. i call it the orange dish; i believe that my daughter once inserted the word "ugly" into her description of it as in "why did you pick that ugly orange dish?" my mom has an assorted variety of dishes handed down to her from all sides of her family. a couple of years ago she put a few dozen pieces out and asked each of us girls to select a piece. as you know, i love orange so this was a natural pick for me.
i know that this dish belonged to my mom's grandma johnson. i never knew her and don't even know her name off the top of my head. i've tried to figure out what year she might have been born. mom was born in 1926 and her dad in 1904. his mom might have been born around 1884. how did she get this piece? was it a gift? did her husband buy it in a fancy emporium in the city and bring it home as a surprise? i wonder if her granddaughters oohed and aahed over it hoping that one day it might be theirs.
the dish is separated into two sections. and although both the dish and the lid are quite worn in places, it is in remarkably good shape. i love all the little crackles all over the finish. i wonder what great-great grandma johnson served in this dish. was it a daily vessel for serving vegetables or only brought out for special occasions?
almost all of the old family pieces have labels hand-written by my mom. this one says "belonged to joyce's gr johnson dish & lid". the only marking on this dish is the made in japan on the bottom. the little stacked feet on the bottom are adorable. i've never used this dish but it has a special place in my china cupboard. and, megan, ugly is in the eye of the beholder. maybe you'll get to inherit this piece one day. hee hee
9 comments:
I think this is a charming little orange dish! And best of all, it's a treasure from your great grandma. She would be happy knowing how much you cherish it today, Julie.
That is definitely a unique piece. Lovely!
Isn't it fun imagining the history of something? What was served in this dish? Who were the people sitting around the dinner table? What did they talk about?
What a lovely piece of family history!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it is a gorgeous piece. Just knowing that it was your great grandma's is so special. This is a very darling dish.
I love the dish.. AND most of all love any memories of grandma.. I miss mine all the time.
Staci
Megan is outnumbered on this one. It's quite darling, and I think the label on the bottom in your mother's hand makes it even more special.
oh, i love these mysterious family treasures...Im so glad it has a home where it is loved-- i bet your grandma is too! :D
the dish is great! i love that it's divided and the crackling. thank you for sharing your memories of your great-great grandma.
those mystery dishes are the best, aren't they? and so much fun wondering what it's "life" was like before you became its new owner! i particularly like the flower knob on top...and the orange color is great! :)
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