Sometimes the elements of an elegant table come together all at once, and others appear over a longer time. This table, reflecting natural elements centred around birds, is one of the latter cases.

It started with the museum reproduction creamware soup tureens from Mottahedeh. Very delicate, with intricate detail, these pieces are a delight to behold.

I purchased the large tureen and two small ones to use as centrepieces.

The twig placemats were a welcome addition, although these are the second rendition. The first ones I purchased several years ago were constructed like rafts, rigid and unyielding, with a dismaying tendency to warp. After several tries soaking them in hot water, then placing them under heavy weights in order that they dried flat, I gave up in disgust and discarded them.Then I found these, which are strung together, and roll up nicely for storage.

The linens came from Pottery Barn a couple of years ago. The runner features very pretty stylized birds, and the napkins are embroidered with a nest containing pale blue eggs. French blue antique Venetian goblets and modern Venetian candlesticks coordinate perfectly.

The pièce de résistance, however, are the twelve hand-painted antique plates, each one featuring a different bird. I found them quite by chance one day, when I dropped into visit at Elise Abrams Antiques, and a table theme was complete.

I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.