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Kitchen Display..and a Quick Question...

This week I used a couple of thrift store finds, with some items I already had, to make a new kitchen storage area!



It started when I found this pretty marble cutting board.  
I love the patina and veining...



And I found this pair of little French Champagne buckets...




The marble slab fit perfectly on top of the single cabinet between my stove and refrigerator, and I loved the look of the white against my dark countertop.  So, I added my matte glaze vase utensil holder, and filled one of the little champagne buckets 
with wooden spoons and whisks...




I also added a glass cake stand that holds my teapot, 
and a marmalade jar...


It adds a bright spot to a dark corner...


Before I go...a quick question for you antique lovers!  Recently I found this beautiful platter at the thrift store (CRAZY, I know).  It seems to be an earthenware or faience type piece...all hand painted, and is old.  The markings are hard to read...I wondered if perhaps any of you had any ideas about this piece?  It is different than any pieces I have had before...






I'd love to hear your ideas!  
It might be fun to do a feature like this on a regular basis here!

I am joining~
Vintage Charm
Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Until next time...




41 comments

  1. Linda, I love the way you gathered things on the slab. That looks great!

    I have no ideas about the painted piece but the colors are beautiful. :)

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    1. Linda, thanks for sharing this pretty kitchen spot at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are honored that you join us. ;)

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  2. Your newest vignette in the kitchen looks good to me and I have no idea about your new pretty platter
    I like how the labels are no your buckets

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  3. I love the newly brightened spot in your kitchen area. You did a great job of staging!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  4. You might ask Diana over at Adirondack Girl blog. She knows all kinds of stuff. http://adirondackgirlatheart.com/

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  5. Linda, Your new vignette in the kitchen looks very nice. The platter is so pretty. But I can't help you.Sorry. Hope you find out and let us all know. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  6. That conch shell mark has to be a clue, but several internet searches didn't find it. It may be that the plate is Chinese in origin, since the conch shell is a symbol of royalty and rank in that culture. It is also a Buddhist symbol. It is quite extraordinary, and I would see if any antique experts can help you. Who knows, you may have lucked into a very old piece!

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  7. I love how you made a vignette on the marble slab...the marble is perfect on your dark countertop. And I really like the "yin and yang" of the wooden utensils with the metal ones. As for your platter, it looks perhaps Chinese or Japanese to me. I'm going to send your blog post to a friend of mine who's an antiques expert and dealer. If she has any ideas, I'll let you know!

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  8. That gorgeous marble slab adds such character to that little corner of your kitchen, Linda. As for the tray, I don't know anything about it other than it's a beautiful piece. The colors and painted design are fabulous!

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  9. I think so many pieces look more interesting gathered in a basket or on a tray and you took it above and beyond on the marble tile, Linda. Love it!

    Wish I could help on the tray, I'm not great with old pieces. :(

    Jane

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  10. What a fun guessing game! I was interested in the responses you got on your platter. I have never seen a thing like it. I was thinking Italian or Greek. But maybe it's Eastern European. I have found some of the most valuable things at thrift stores for basically nothing. Especially old things. Love what you have done with your little kitchen corner. Tres chic!

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  11. Gosh, I love that platter, but I have no idea of its provenance. It's gorgeous! The colors are so rich and vibrant!

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  12. What a great idea to use all the pieces together, and how simple too - it all looks beautiful! I always need to remind myself to keep it simple whenever possible.

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  13. Gorgeous collection of priceless goodies assembled so perfectly on this marble slab! I love them all.
    I have not a clue on the platter-but it is one beautiful piece.
    Thanks so much for joining us at TOHOT!
    Jemma

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  14. I love that cute champagne bucket and how you're using it. The whole vignette looks great on top of that marble slab. I don't know any thing about the platter. I've never seen one like it before.

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  15. Loving this spot you created with your wonderful finds. Using great vintage pieces like the French champagne bucket and marmalade jar as containers for utensils is a favorite of mine.
    Beautiful platter, but I'm afraid I can't help you out on its origins.
    Mary Alice

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  16. Linda LOVE the marble and those champagne buckets! I would have grabbed them too. I also have not seen that marking before--lovely piece, though.

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  17. LInda what a beautiful piece. I am not sure on that piece but I am sure an antique dealer could help you. You may have found a great treasure. Love the champagne buckets.
    Kris

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  18. Hi Linda,
    Your porcelain dish's Clematis design shows that is was made during the Aesthetic Movement around 1880. Without being able to read the old impressed mark, I can't tell for certain but I would bet my socks it is English. The porcelain manufacturers hired skilled painters to decorate the blanks. Its excellent condition and the bright colors attest to the skill and care that went into these pieces. It was (hot) hard-fired (a process that stopped chipping) and the gold paint is 22K.

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    1. Hi Ginene,
      Thank you for all of your helpful information! From what I can see of the mark, I was guessing English, too. It has one tiny shallow chip on the underside of a handle, but other than that, it is in beautiful condition. Who knows why something like that ends up in a thrift store! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise with us!

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    2. Oh, how exiting to find out it is German. Well, I've lost my socks! That whole region of Germany had many potteries. They had the right kind of clay in the soil and the craftsmanship.

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  19. I love your new kitchen vignette. I went to 5 thrift stores yesterday and all I got was a photo of something I didn't buy :( But hitting estate sales tomorrow and a barn sale on Saturday, so I'm hoping it's going to be a good weekend!

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  20. Hi Linda, love the marble, Ive been looking for a similar sort of tray also for holding a few items on my kitchen counter - great minds and all that! It's a beautiful piece I wonder if you popped over to http://sharonsantoni.com/ she's lived in France for around 30 years and she takes visitors to brocante/antique fairs...she might know more about it. Have a good week! Sharon x

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  21. Love your post.

    Just went yard saling and came up empty-handed.

    Happy day!
    karianne

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  22. Love the way you pulled all you kitchen items together on the marble slab. I can't help on the platter other than to say it is beautiful.

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  23. What a neat vignette, Linda. The champagne buckets turned utensil holders add a fun touch! Love the vintage platter, I've never seen one just like it.

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  24. I have a feeling your tray/plate might be German as I see Franz in the circle mark. Royal Bonn used many marks for many different wares, many of them in the circle format. I also see an A in the next word--

    Franz Anton Mehlmen factories were in business for over 100 years and eventually were folded into Villeroy and Boch and closed in 1931.

    This could be an earlier piece than the printed version of the mark..and it was just sloppy work of the stamper. The conch shell, could simply be a tool mark that the worker didnt bother to repair. Such a mark w/could be made with a wire tool being used to clean the foot rim of the plate.

    As far as styles, this company did them all at one time or another.
    I personally would place the platter at late 19th century mid-1920's as there are aeshetic and art noveau influences here.

    I'll send you a pic of a mark I think is close and see what you think.
    Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much for all of your info! You are right! Now that I know what I'm looking for I can see part of the figure and I see the M on the impressed mark! So fun to solve the mystery! Everyone has been so great with sharing what they know!

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    2. Linda - I talked to my friend and sent her this post. She agrees with Barberry's post! :)

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  25. Hi Linda, love your marble and it looks so pretty with the champagne bucket utensil holder and marmalade jar. The tray is wonderful and it is interesting to read the comments as to where it might originate. I hope you find out and let us know! x Karen

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  26. I'm interested to see where it comes from too. I love your display

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  27. Very interesting comments on your great find. The tray is quite beautiful.

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  28. I love that pretty slab of marble, a perfect way to hold all your new goodies. I wish I could help with identifying your pretty platter.

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  29. I love mysteries so had to read all the comments. I was just going to say it reminded me of the marks I see from private people, so good thing you have people more wise than me!

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  30. I'm so glad some of your readers have been able to help you answer your question, Linda. I find it difficult to evaluate things that I can't actually hold in my hands. I've found that I need to touch and feel things and see them with my own eyes. It is truly a lovely piece--what a blessing to have found it a thrift store!

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  31. Love the slab of marble...and makes a great base for a vignette. I must be the odd one out cause I hate anything on my counters? that is one beautiful platter that you scored thrifting! Since its from the 1920's I think you should pass it on to me since our home is from the 20's...just a suggestion.

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  32. You made such a wonderful vignette from your treasures! That's got to be one of your favorites spots in the kitchen now!
    I know absolutely nothing about your tray other than it's gorgeous!

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  33. Love all your treasures and the color on the platter/tray are gorgeous!

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  34. Gosh you have some smart readers! Didn't they do well with their detective work. It certainly is a pretty and unusual piece.

    More great finds.... I do love the fun champagne bucket.

    Karen x

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  35. I think you've found a treasure either way! It's beautiful! I like to think marks mean money:) Love your display. As always.

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  36. Love your kitchen vignette.

    xo Dianne

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