Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07
FASHIONS IN CHINA
Changes as Frequent as in
Everything Else.
COLONIAL BANDED SETS
POSSESSoRS OF REAL OLD ONES
ARE ENvIED.
Especially if the Family Crest is on
the Border The Care
ind Keep.
COLONIAL BANDED SETS

From year to year we are pleasantly re-
| minded that fashions change even in china,
| but not in the county of China No. it is
| In the usages of pcrcelains that the tickle
| goddess has her particular fling. Not so
| very long ago it was considered the correct
| thing to have large sets of china for break-
fast, luncheon and dinner, all of the same
| pattern and coloring.
Many Of US remember the substantial
English sets. consisting probably of hum
dred or more pieces, exactly matching in
design and tone, which were thought the
acme of elegance and style ten fifteen
years since If there is whole set of this
china which has escaped the hands Of Co.
| mestic destroying angels, 1t is now very
likely given over to the servants table, or,
II expensive, adorns the top shelf of some
convenient cupboard, there to repose until
the tide comes in which shall bring it back
to favor
If sufficiently artistic to meet the REQUIRE
ments of this fastidious century, a set OF
these plates can be used for a separate
course. We are constant only to constant
change, and now small sets of dishes are
the popular fad. Breakfast china must BE-
entirely different from the more dlgnified
designs used for dinner; consequently each
course has it's own scheme appropriate il
possible, to the viands served.
of even the most informal meal nowadays"
was the plaintive cry of woman who was
fairly we'll supplied with handsome table
outfit And one is mighty apt to agree
with her when one realizes the fact that
each little dish handed requires under 1t an
expensive or attractive plate of some kind.
But the best effort in the china line is
usually reserved for the place plate when
a formal dinner is on Beautiful miniatur,
plaques come in for this purpose, worth
in many instances almost their weight in
gold. Real Dresden or some of the hand
some Coalport china is exquisite to use,
though quite as expensive L am afraid. as
the hand-painted miniature plate. Irreg-
ular edges have come into fashion again,
and patterns in relief are i'll use once
more, but the border pattern having an
edge formed of geometric or some sort Of
conventional design is the one most liked
in the new sets.
The New Coup" Shapes.
The newest plates come in what is techri-
cally called coup shapes-that is they
have no rims, being simply scooped out III
the size required. These shapes are found
in ice cream sets and separate plates. never
in whole services. Taking everything into
consideration, the white and gold dinner
set is the most satisfactory after all, as
there is nothing in it to clash with any
scheme of coloring used for table decora-
ton.
Next in popular favor is the green and
white coloring, and the new sets are charm
ing with their dull gold and soft green COM
binations. Happy is the woman who has
had handed down to her one of the real
colonial banded SETS than which nothing is
smarter. Most of the successful reproduce
tons of the year are after this period or
follow the ideas of the Wedgwood designs.
A good dinner set in these wares cost all
the way from $40 to well up in the hum
dredS.
A woman 1 knew who was literally en-
dowed with artistic skill made at a nominal
cost beautiful colonial service. The first
step toward her object was to select in the
finest plain white porcelain the number of
articles she wished to include in the set
The bands were applied with the leaf gold
which comes for the mineral painters USE
and the monogram was placed in the center
of each dish and in the most appropriate
part of the other pieces. The set was then
ready to be fired
more stunning effect is reached If ones
crest is painted in the border, and all idea
of snobbishness is lost if one has the right
by inheritance and not by purchase to the
use of this emblazonment
In Blue Tokyo.
Dainty and neat for the simple household
or for the country house table are the
Tokyo sets which come in quaint shapes
and pretty blue colorings. This ware re-
sembies somewhat the old India, but its
indigo beauty is not dark. Scotland has
lately sent over very telling pieces of china
the pottery portion being Of a creamy hue
with the thistle realistically described over
the surface. Both of the new wares are in
expensive, although there is nothing in the
appearance to make this fact unpieasantly
apparent.
If the housewife is searching for some
thing entirely unique in which to serve
salad. she should purchase one of the latest
creations in this line, which is a novel
variation of the old lettuce theme. The
whole effect is that of huge lettuce head,
he pJ1d hon hahn nf h.. h,,J
torn away from the outer leaves Three
rabbits in natural coloring hold the bowl
in position, and the base Is worked out IN
the larger leaves. 1t is hardly necessary to
add that the salad plates are leaf shaped
Another original effect, though not as
new as the other IS the salad set fashioned
of green leaf with red lobster crawling
in a most unappetiZing manner among the
green. To be absolutely up to date individ-
ual condiments must be arranged at each
plate instead of at the corners of the table.
The old-fashioned epergne has been revived
as g decoration for the center OF the table,
also the French gilt and crystal flower
holder. These holders are really charming,
with their many little branches in which to
place bunch Of violets some dainty
small posy. If one can be extravagant in
the matter of table appointments, the re-
cent developments in Bohemian glass will
be delight The sweetest creme de menthe
sets in white and gold are specially aIlur-
ing. The glasses are a departure in shape
from the former squatty ones, the new
style being a graceful reproduction of the
morning glory.
Another fad is to have afternoon teacups
with covers, and a very sensible fashion it
is, one fingers and talks over this cheer
ing cup until the repartee is apt to be better
than the oolong. The cover obviates all this
difficulty.
A Reasonable Hope.
Almost every womans ambition is to pos
sess well filed china closet, and the pretty
arrangement of her treasures in these cabi-
nets is source of the greatest pleasure.
Be sure when purchasing closet" no
matter whether the style be French, Dutch