{Delft White Picture Frame Vase}

• As promised yesterday, here is the Delft White Picture Frame Vase for you to see in a better view. 
• In the mid 80s when I did import these cute Keraflor vases from Steenbok, in Reuver, The Netherlands, they were probably the hottest item I ever sold! 
• It took some fast action for securing 6 for myself as I planned on using them for personal place settings at table. That too has always been a success.

• This is he small individual picture frame vase with Ranunculus - Persian buttercups.
• Placemats are Le Jacquard Français

• Now you can see the actual opening of the 'vase'...

• Here you view it from the back side with the Keraflor mark.
• It is a very clever vase!

• You can fill the vase with water or with florist foam.

• So that's how a picture frame vase looks like!

Related article:

Antique Christofle Napkin Ring and Timbale, Goblet in Box | previous post by me

{Goddaughter Myriam, whose 2nd child Lotte, is born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia}

Perfect weekend to let you in on some more of our family. Pieter has a Goddaughter, Myriam Vedder, daughter of his middle brother Toon. He married Edith, the sister of Pieter's first wife Thea.

During the years before Lizzy got adopted, see {Our Daughter Liz}, it was Myriam, who spent lots of time with Pieter, and Thea; like their own daughter. Naturally, he became very fond of her. After Lizzy, came to live with them, Myriam, was still included in trips and vacations.

On the left is Myriam, and next to her is her cousin (actually her second cousin by blood) Lizzy, and two more friends that went on vacation together with Pieter and Thea (who is seen in the back). Myriam's parents were the Godparents of Lizzy, so they got embraced with love, from both sides.

Here they are in Switzerland on a vacation in 1972; Myriam, Lizzy and Thea.

Of course time went by and Myriam, got married and started her own life. That took her with her husband to Saudi Arabia, with Royal Dutch Shell, right after their first daughter Sanne, was born in The Kingdom of The Netherlands. Their second daughter Lotte, is born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

When the Gulf War started they of course had to leave. During one of their visits to The Netherlands we happened to be there as well, so the above picture shows a happy Pieter with his two great-nieces as a pink bundle of joy! Sanne, on the left and Lotte, on the right. Sanne, with her curls had an almost angelic face! They both looked precious and still do!

Their work took them also to New Zealand, where they lived and worked. Meanwhile with three children, as Auke, had come along as well.

Auke, is Sanne, and Lotte's, baby brother and he's a handsome young man meanwhile.

Above is Sanne, at her Gandpa's garden under the wrought iron arbor that he'd welded for his roses... This photo is taken four years before Toon passed away. Myriam has transplanted this arbor, a labor of love by her Dad.

This is Lotte, surrounded by sunflowers!

This picture shows all of us, with our lawyer friend Johnny Warren (l) and his wife Hannah, who visited their daughter Michelle, in Brussels, Belgium at that time and did tour with us. We got to visit Toine's De Gaerde, that is very close to Belgium in the province of Brabant, The Netherlands. Pieter, is the 3rd from the left, Toine from De Gaerde, Myriam, and me. They actually do serve coffee, tea and other refreshments and it is a great place to shop for lots of unique gifts, aside from the plants and professional garden design by Toine.
~~0~~
Three years ago Myriam, did surprise Pieter, for his birthday with a special visit, together with Toine. We started off with the Dutch Queen's birthday reception at Naylor Hall in Atlanta with the Dutch Honorary Consul.

Obviously very happy times and Myriam, did even bring for both of us an orange feather boa!

Here we are at Ristorante da Maria for the special birthday party with most of our friends; about 16.

But happy times do end...

Pieter took this photo from Sunday Brunch after the birthday dinner evening, at the Page House Bed & Breakfast. This is a home in the style of Gone with the Wind.

Toine and Myriam already having their last breakfast, special with popover pancakes and fresh fruits. Served in bowls from English Rose by Royal Doulton. Strawberry drainer is from Pillivuyt as well as the Sancerre underplates.

Serving Italian Prosecco in Baccarat crystal fluted champagne, with spicy Thai cashews from Trader Joe's.

One last supper with our Thai friend and her American husband. Since Myriam, and Toine, also love spicy food, I did make the special Thai Tom Yam Koeng soup. For the table setting I used the placemats with rose pattern from Le Jacquard Française with matching napkins. Had just the perfect roses to go with that; Royal Bonica. I used the Alvin Bridal Rose round silver soup spoons and for the Chicken Satay with Rice and Asparagus I used the Gero Zilmeta Menuet 528. Chargers are French Pillivuyt Sancerre and the soup bowls and dinner plates are the Rose pattern from Gien, again both available from Replacements Ltd.

Pieter with Goddaughter Myriam...

Crystal is Baccarat Piccadilly  from France.

Cheers!

{6 Antique Christofle Knife Rests Griffes Antiques - Antique Claws}

Again I did find you 6 antique Christofle knife rests in the Griffes Antiques - Antique Claws pattern as listed in the late 19th century Christofle Catalog. Catalog page will follow below photos. This rare set was available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics. A very elegant way for protecting your fine table linens from getting soiled. These French Christofle knife rests will for sure be an asset to a fine table setting for that special event. The hall mark bears the antique C C for the late 19th century Charles Christofle.

This is the Christofle Griffes Antiques knife rest.

Table Setting is Cream Color on Cream Color by Wedgwood. ← Just click on the hyperlinks!

We are lucky for having gardenias blooming right now. A nice bonus after such a long hot and dry summer.

Flatware is Gero Zilmeta Menuet 528.

Hand embroidered tablecloth in cross stitch roses is done by me, for my trousseau on heavy rayon damask from 3Suisse France.

View from all 6 Christofle knife rests.

Better view from the sides...

Closeup of an individual Christofle knife rest in the Griffes Antiques pattern.

This is a page from a late 1800s Christofle catalog and to the right, second from top you see the Griffes Antiques knife rest.

The late 1800s C C Charles Christofle hall marks.

Exact same hall marks on my Christofle sugar sifter spoon from 1862. It was a lot easier to capture a photo off this flat handle.

Sorry sold out...

My favorite Christofle (Memoir) book by David Rosenberg.

Indeed, Christofle is still a symbol of luxury and elegance. Since its founding in the mid-19th century. Today as in the past, it has been gracing the tables of emperors, princes, or maharajas, in palaces, on board the Trans-Siberian Railway, Orient Express, or transatlantic ocean liners, or in contemporary restaurants, Christofle continues to make an impression. This great book is available at Amazon.

Related articles

• {11 French Antique 1863 Christofle 4 Boules Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {2nd half of 19th Century Antique Christofle Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {6 Antique French Christofle Coquille Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {12 Vintage 1930s French Christofle Coquille Regence Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {1862 Christofle Sugar Sifter Spoon 'Filet Violon'} | previous post by me

{11 French Antique 1863 Christofle 4 Boules Knife Rests}

Here I can show you some true antique French Christofle knife rests. They date from 1863 and are called '4 Boules'. There were 11 of them available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics.  An elegant way for protecting your fine table linens from getting soiled. These elegant French knife rests will for sure be an asset to a fine table setting for that special event. On December 2nd I have added another set of 8, see photo below others.

Image via Wikipedia (click link for sharper view).

Dine in style with something that was designed and made by Charles Christofle. Poor Charles died at the age of 58, only 5 years after Emperor Napoleon III appointed Charles Christofle official purveyor to the court.

Table Setting is with Seltmann Weiden Mirabell china and my Gero Zilmeta Menuet 528 flatware on a linen tablecloth with roses.

This Table Setting was on the balcony, al fresco.

Here you see all 11 knife rests together. Incredible beauties considering their age.

This image gives you a good idea about the '4 boules' pattern.

This is the 8 piece set of the same, with exact same antique hall marks!

This '4 boules' pattern is shown at the very top to the left on this antique catalog page.

 You can see the two hall marks on the knife rests.

 Here is a closeup of the hall marks.

 On my antique Christofle sugar sifter from 1862, the exact same hall mark is shown here. It is a lot easier to capture off a flat item.

The French Ministère de la Culture does show here the very same Christofle 4 boules knife rests at the musée Condé as being from 1863. You can click on the hyperlink for going there.

 It is very rare for finding such antique pieces. Only at Sur La Table I have seen such treasures. Usually they are snatched up very fast!

Sorry Sold out...

 My favorite book about Christofle (Memoire) by David Rosenberg.

  

Indeed, Christofle is still a symbol of luxury and elegance. Since its founding in the mid-19th century. Today as in the past, it has been gracing the tables of emperors, princes, or maharajas, in palaces, on board the Trans-Siberian Railway, Orient Express, or transatlantic ocean liners, or in contemporary restaurants, Christofle continues to make an impression. This great book is available at Amazon.com.

Related articles

• {Victoria Magazine: Knife Rests Old and New} | previous post by me
• {12 Vintage 1930s French Christofle Coquille Regence Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {2nd half of 19th Century Antique Christofle Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {1862 Christofle Sugar Sifter Spoon 'Filet Violon'} | previous post by me
• {6 Antique French Christofle Coquille Knife Rests} | previous post by me
• {Vintage Christofle Pastry Tong} | previous post by me
• {4 Antique Christofle Napkin Rings for Tray Service or Mixed Set Use} | previous post by me
• {Antique French Christofle Napkin Ring for 'Service for One'} | previous post by me
• {2 Can Now Have Breakfast in Bed à la Christofle...} | previous post by me