There’s something enchanting about setting a table that blends history, charm, and seasonal inspiration. The utterly delightful Choisy le Roi Ducklings led the charge, er… waddle this time. Their whimsical blue illustrations of fluffy baby birds lend a playful yet elegant air to this alfresco setting.

This set of six antique Choisy le Roi plates is a rare (eBay) find. Manufactured in France in the late 19th century, they capture the essence of transferware artistry, a style that remains a collector’s favourite today. They showcase delicate blue engravings of ducklings (and a sole chick, for reasons unclear) in various charming poses.

Each plate tells a little story—like Scowling Duckling. I wonder if it woke up on the wrong side of the nest?

This one is Indignant Duckling. There is one in every family— constantly outraged about something.

Adventure Duckling is headed off to explore its surroundings. Who can resist that chubby little bottom?

I built the tablescape around a classic blue-and-yellow palette to highlight the plates’ charming details. A white and blue floral tablecloth served as the foundation, extending the colour scheme of the plates to the entire table.

Mikasa Broadway Yellow dinner plates, with their yellow and white striped border, provided a visual break from the blue and white. Soft yellow napkins, tucked into inexpensive hammered stainless napkin rings, enhanced the warmth of the plate’s borders, creating a lovely contrast against the deeper blue hues of the glasses and tablecloth.

I set this table last summer when we were enjoying a spectacular summer for hydrangeas, seemingly making up for the previous year, when a severe late frost had wiped out the entire hydrangea crop on the Cape. This variety is a particularly vibrant shade, echoing the blue tones of the plates while providing a visual focal point.

The plates have a nostalgic, storybook quality—and made me wonder about the artist who created the illustrations. You might notice the initials “AB” tucked into all the designs.

It turns out that the initials “AB” on the Choisy le Roi transferware plates are attributed to Achille Bloch, a designer and artist associated with the French faience manufacturer Choisy le Roi in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Achille Bloch was known for his delicate and highly detailed engravings, often featuring animals, pastoral scenes, and whimsical depictions of nature. His work contributed to Choisy le Roi ceramics’ distinct charm and collectibility, particularly in their blue-and-white transferware series.

Every table tells a story, and this one celebrates timeless beauty, nature’s inspiration, and the joy of collecting and using treasured pieces. The Choisy le Roi Duckling plates bring so much character and whimsy to this setting, proving that antiques aren’t just for display—they are meant to be enjoyed and shared.

Long-time readers will know of my granddaughter Juliana’s passion for all things feathered, particularly ducklings. These plates might make a lovely Easter table this year with abundant daffodils and perhaps some fluffy yellow (faux) ducklings!