March 12, 2009

What a dish.

Unfortunately I’m not talking about myself. (Though, with a little lipstick and a good hair-brushing, I’m not too shabby.)

I’m talking about these pretty ladies I acquired a few months back.


My Aunt Peggy was cleaning out her basement and came across her grandmother’s dishes. The Aunt was moving to a smaller home, and since she knew I liked to do crafty things with old dishes she gave the dinner plates to me.

But I don’t have the heart to get crafty with them. For one, they’re a set of six matching Limoges dinner plates and I'd hate to break up a set. Their age is showing a bit, but yours would be, too, if you were closing in on 100 years old. Plus I am intrigued by the Gimbel Brothers mark on the back. How fabulous that Wm. Guerin & Co. created a collection (or collections) of fancy tableware for good old Gimbels.


The set of six silver knives that I found last weekend inspired me to dig the plates out of the closet last night and have another look at them. Now all I need is six forks and a cold bottle of white wine to pop in my $2 ice bucket I’ve got myself a party for pennies.

Speaking of thrifty…it’s Thrifty Thursday so head on over to Bloggeritaville, pour yourself a cold one (or a hot one. It's freezing in NY again. Brrr!), and see what the ladies of the blogosphere have up their frugal little sleeves.

31 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

Very pretty plates! The name Gimbel sounds familiar... where have I heard it? Is it a store?

xoxo
Jane

j.cro said...

Oh how FANCY!! Nice finds!!!

And seriously - when the hell is Spring going to get here?

After being in the SF-area I'm JONESING for warmer weather, green grass and flowers!!

Anonymous said...

Now all we need is a thrifty price tag on that wine...

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

A cold one, thank you! LOVe those plates! Those are gorgeous. And 100 years old, they look great! I wouldn't dare craft them. I would hang them up on plate racks for the world to see their beauty! What a treasure, Laura! I love those. I always love to drop in at your place! Always fun!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I wonder if they were made for Gimbals NYC? Gimbals was a big independent store like SAKS or MACY'S use to be (now they are owned by conglomerates), but unfortunately went out of business many years ago.

In any event I love their age and patina and most importantly their provenance. Cherish them!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I always thought that
gimbels was a New York store. My grandmother used to take me there. Call me sentimental, but I think that eating off of dishes that belonged to your ancestors might make you feel closer to them? They are pretty plates.
♥, Susan

Carey said...

I would love a cold one... don't mind if I do. Beautiful find!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laura, I love those plates! They are beautiful, and I'm a limoge nut! LOL! Also a shore nut and a silver nut and a furniture nut and a thrift store nut and an antique nut and you get the picture! Those are truly lovely.

I'm so excited that I'm tempted to just MAIL you some forks if I find some! LOL! Go forth and hunt and gather and have that party! THEN take pics and blog about it!

XO,

Sheila... who has her limoge cake plate out today! (eBay, baby!)

Keetha Broyles said...

I'm not an expert on antique china, but before you paint or otherwise "craft" on these plates, I would check with some one who knows about their value. I believe the name Limoge may make them valuable.

Besides, they have intrinsic value of heritage.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!

desiree said...

Beautiful. I love them and they will be perfect with the silver.

Joyce said...

I love the plates. Yes my friend you do have a great party lined up! All those plates need are one of your fab desserts!
I have vintage forks and spoons. What time should I be there?!
Have a golden weekend my little "dish" of a friend! xoxo

heidi said...

Awesome acquisition, my friend!!!!

Rue said...

Those are beautiful plates, and Limoges to boot! How fantastic!! I think it's fate that you found those knives... here's to finding coordinating forks and that nice bottle of wine!! :)

Sue said...

Who would have thunk that you would hear Gimbels and Limoge in the same sentence let alone on the same plate!

kari and kijsa said...

Beautiful plates!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Unknown said...

Such amazing treasures passed down from your family - WOW! I love antiques but when they're attached to family I'm WILD about them. I know you'll provide and care for them and give them the best home.

Blessings - Debbie

Linda Lou said...

Beautiful plates Laura, I am big plate collector myself - especially Italian ones - with those plates and those beautiful knifes you have to make a fabulous meal to serve them on!

Purple Flowers said...

Love your blog. I live about 1 hr. from you in the northern part of the state.
Those dishes are beautiful - so elegant and vintage looking.
Enjoy them!

Lorrie said...

Beautiful plates--how nice of your aunt to give them to you. I can remember shopping in Gimbel's in NY with my grandma when I was small.

Ms. Tee said...

You're too cute :) They look great for being almost 100! I don't blame you for not wanting to get crafty with them - love them~
;)

Kwana said...

These are beautiful. I remember trips to Gimbels. What a treat that was. You have quite a party in the making.

If you are into cooking books you'll love what Me, PVE and the gang are reading it's full of food. Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee

Maureen said...

"not too shabby..." You crack me up. Those plates are beautiful.

pve design said...

Lucky me, I am the proud recipient of one of shore(house) chic's lovely plates which was cleverly perched with some help atop a candle holder, it is now the spot for sweets. Everyone loves it!

Caren said...

Very pretty. All I can think of is "It's beginning to look a lot like Gimbels..." the old ads at Christmastime. Is that just a store from the PA/NJ area? I used to live in Philly which you probably realize and worked right across the street from a store that was Gimbels (and Lit Bros. too!)

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Nice, those are beautiful! Lucky you :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Laura

thanks for your comment, sorry you are working so hard for no more money. it's a sad old world sometimes isn't it

love those plates, aren't limoges meant to be worth a fortune?? I'm no expert but just thought they were....so don't do anything until you know!!

Sarah

Local Girl said...

Pretty plates and what a great find! Limoges plates are pretty expensive here in Europe and I've just had a google and found these which look very similar to yours. http://www.antique-china-porcelain-collectibles.com/store/PPF/Category_ID/533/products.asp

Probably best not to craft them at $30 a plate ;)

julia@lookiloos.com said...

Seems like a perfect time to host a ladies lunch! Those plates are lovely. Do you drink mint juleps out there? How about sweet tea? Here in California, a nice glass of Chardonnay, no matter the time, would be perfect.

Fifi Flowers said...

Those plates are GREAT! FUN quaint dinner party with al your new OLD finds!
ENJOY!

Marie Anne said...

Those plates are beautiful! I would leave them alone too. At that age, they deserve to be treasured for what they are.

(What DO you make from plates?)