Castleton Empire Pattern

I was in Nashville last weekend to visit my youngest sister and to see my niece in the Tennessee Rep's production of Big River -- fabulous show, by the way!  I had warned my sister that I wanted to play with her dishes while I was there, and she acquiesced, even buying some new table linens!  This week I'm showing her table set with Castleton Empire, another set of china from our Grandma Rachel, but with a bit of a different history than her wedding china I posted about three weeks ago.  Grandma Rachel was worried that my sister, as a lastborn daughter, wouldn't have any family china to inherit, so she bought this set from her sister-in-law (our Great-Aunt Rene) when Rene moved to her retirement apartment.  Here's a diner's view of a place setting of Castleton Empire, as well as some beautiful crystal from Grandma Rachel in a pattern we have been unable to identify.  (Edit:  Replacements.com identified it as Glastonbury/Lotus' Minton 36 pattern.)

Here is a better look at the pattern, which has a gold-plated pearled edge.  The flatware is Reed and Barton's Louis XVI silverplate, also from Grandma Rachel.

Here's a closer look at the rims of the plates.  The placemats and napkins are from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

And a closer look at the center design:

The set includes a number of serving pieces, including this wonderful soup tureen.

I especially like the design painted on the lid and handles.

Here's a teacup...

And, for a sweet ending, the inside of a demitasse cup:

Thanks for visiting, and please also stop by Susan's Between Naps on the Porch to see some beautiful tablescapes.