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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Grandma Borland's Ironstone Pitcher


I bid on this beautiful ironstone pitcher at an auction
last week.  It's a nice one... no brown discoloration
or crazing. And surprisingly, no chips.....especially since
it was made around 1850!



Apparently, it originally belonged to Grandma Borland! 
My imagination always runs wild when I see these little
masking tape tags.  I can almost see Grandma as a young mom 
bringing this pitcher to the breakfast table, probably full of fresh milk
straight from the cows.  And I always wonder why it was
passed down several generations and then not wanted any longer!



45 comments:

  1. What a great find Betsy! I'm with you, I always imagine stuff when I see old things. Lol

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  2. I think of the back stories, too. Amazing how long it has survived, considering all the handling. It's a lovely piece.

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    1. So true! And when I see a name on something it really personalizes it. Kind of sad that
      it ends up at an auction. But I know Taylor isn't going to want to keep all of my junk, either. haha.

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  3. Sad that the family of Grandma Borland had to let it go, but lucky you for winning it at auction. It's a very pretty piece. I like to imagine how old things were used, too.

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    1. I love ironstone...and pitchers! But I have plenty so this one went in the shop.

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  4. Hi Betty - gosh that's a good bid - and after 150 years still pristine. Grandma Borland - good name too ... and what stories could be dreamt through ... cheers Hilary

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  5. Cute little pitcher and the history makes it rather fascinating. I see it's English.
    I wonder how many jugs of milk it has poured . . :)

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    1. Yes...and I wonder what ship it traveled on to get here....

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    2. Perhaps The Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth . . . :)

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    3. Lol....I was thinking something a little less opulent. ..like the Mayflower.

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    4. Lol....I was thinking something a little less opulent. ..like the Mayflower.

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    5. Well nothing but the best I say. I have always aimed high . . . lol
      As a kid I was taught by my dear grandmother, who was a fount of wisdom,"Aim for the stars and you might just reach the ceiling, aim for the ceiling and you will never get off the ground!"
      The Mayflower was certainly less opulent than The Queens but crumbs, it sailed in 1620 and this little pitcher and dear old Grandma Borland date around 1850 . . . . lol

      I watched a TV programme about The Queen Mary on Monday and it was brill . . . and so was the ship . . :)

      I have cured the size of your text at my end. Somehow the gremlins decreed that the text size must be 50% . . . I have insisted on restoring to 100% so I can now read all your cheeky comments . . . . hahaha!

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    6. I think I've watched a special about the Queen Mary before....fascinating!

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  6. I see that and think of how much my family members would have loved pieces like this from my gran's home. Unfortunately, it burned to the ground in the '70s and nothing was saved.

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    Replies
    1. That is so sad! But you've made a happy ending to the story with your new house built there....so very fun!

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  7. I have the same questions you do about that pitcher Betsy. I always tell my friends that all my cross stitch and special things will be marked $! at the yard sale when I am gone. It is too bad that someone did not treasure that pretty thing.

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    1. Oh, I know....sad but true. lol....just enjoy your stuff while you're here. You can't take it with you or make anyone else want it! haha.

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  8. Sometimes people have no room
    Of need to sell or die off or some other doom
    Or maybe things are worth a lot of dough
    Then on ebay they surely go

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    Replies
    1. Yep, you never know the story
      or the thing's history.
      Fun to guess, though
      as to the auctions I go.

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  9. Sad to think of it, but maybe the family died off.

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    1. Could be...but someone's alive to sell off the estate...
      At least most of the time...I usually see part of the family at
      these things. They've taken what they want and leave the
      rest to sell.

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    2. Who's getting all your stuff from the 'museum' days? Have you decided?

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  10. That ia a very nice piece. So far as the family not wanting things. I have a daughter in law that has no sentimental value in anything. Nothing against us she just doesn't have that in her. That has been very difficult for me. Kind of alien. I hope somewhere the folks have a picture of G'ma Borland and remember her lovingly.

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    1. Yes, I kind of feel the same. I have a few pieces that were the mister's grandmothers. I don't particularly care for them because of style or whatever, but I don't think I could ever sell them or put them in the trash. But going to all these auctions has made me realize that it's just stuff and eventually someone who has it may not want it. And speaking of pictures...I've seen beautiful old framed pictures of family members in the auction stuff, too. Sigh!

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  11. Milk jugs have kind of gone out of fashion here, since we got plastic bottles. I have one or two family heirlooms but I don't use them. I don't know why.

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    1. Oh, they're out of fashion here, too for practical use. But ironstone is very popular to collect as antiques these days!

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  12. A beautiful little pitcher, and such a shame that it isn't still in the family's care.
    I love white ironstone, or anything old :)
    ~Jo

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    1. I love it, too....yep, anything old~ haha. Old is just better!

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  13. I love that pitcher! I think it needs to go in the shop... :)

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    1. hahaha...my phone just chimed Cha-Ching! :) Thank you! You're going to love it!

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    2. I am happy to see it found a good home and will be loved. That is nice.

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  14. Wow--this is so pretty, Betsy! I love items with a history, even if it's a history I have to imagine.

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  15. Neat piece, Betsy :) As for passing things down, I'm now 4th generation on items Mom left behind. You should see her English tea cup collection :)

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    1. Well, you know I'd love to see it! And I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing last week! Hugs...

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  16. Hi Betsy...I couldn't find a place to post or reply, so I'm here...=) I am SO pleased with my lovely bowl and teacup from your Etsy shop. Thanks so much. I will think of you every time I see the lovely bowl in my curio and will be tickled to share the teacup with a tea-loving friend. You're the best. XO

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    1. So glad the package got there safely! Yay!

      You can go to your reviews & purchases and leave feedback. Other than that, there isn't a place to comment.

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