When the cold winds howl in the dead of winter, it’s very heartening to see the arrival of spring bulbs on fruit stands and in the grocery stores.  Last February, I was inspired  to throw a Ballgown dinner party for eight, with pink tulips making a sumptuous display in pink Venetian glass compotes with matching candlesticks.

Our guests were a close-knit group of neighbours from the old ‘hood. Our children all grew up together, running tame in each others’ houses. It had been some time since we had seen each other, and we all very much looked forward to catching up and enjoying an evening filled with stories, a lot of laughter and good food.

Happily, multi-course meals demand small servings. These charming antique cream soup cups made by Crescent & Sons, England, are diminutive. They are resting on complementary dessert plates from Coalport, England, made especially for Tiffany & Co., NY.

The service and dessert plates are each set of twelve hand-painted cabinet plates by Royal Doulton, Made in England for Ovington Brothers, signed by C. Horton and C. Franz, respectively. They are shown here with a cranberry & etched glass decanter by St. Louis, all from Elise Abrams Antiques. 

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

 

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