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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Castleton's Ma Lin -- "Cinnamon, Gold, and Sapphire"

Last weekend I was in Little Rock visiting my parents, which gave me a chance to play with my mother's dishes.  I have always loved her Ma Lin, a Castleton pattern.  I did a little research and learned that it was designed by Ching-Chih Yee, one of fifteen contemporary artists commissioned by Castleton China in 1942 to create designs for china.  Interestingly, Salvador Dali was also one of the fifteen!  Wouldn't it be interesting to see HIS designs?

Ma Lin was discontinued in 1958.  Here's a link to a newspaper ad from 1951, the year my parents married, describing the pattern as "reminiscent of the elegance of Cathay" and the colors as "cinnamon, gold, and sapphire."  The five-piece placesetting's advertised price?  Only $15.75!  Replacements.com now lists a placesetting for $95.95.


Here's the dinner plate. All sizes of the plates have the same design.


In a post last spring, I used yellow napkins and flowers with this pattern, but for fall I wanted to highlight the "cinnamon" color.  I actually brought these placemats with me on the plane, since Mama didn't have any this color.  I wonder if there's a law against crossing state lines with table linens?  My sister remarked that I had crossed a new threshold in tablescaping addiction.


I also wanted to try the Ma Lin with Mama's Fostoria Royal-Amber.  I think it works well, repeating the rust or "cinnamon" color in the pattern.  Mama also has amber candlesticks, one of which you can see in the background below.


And, of course, rust-colored flowers were needed!  We looked several places for rust-colored mums and finally found a pot that would do.  I just wrapped the pot in two napkins, securing them with a rubber band.  In the photo below, you can also see two sets of amber salt and pepper shakers from Mama's collection.


Here's another view of the table. . .

And one of the placesetting.


The next photo shows Mama's sterling, Reed and Barton's French Renaissance.


And here's one last view of the table.  The angle of the sun wasn't cooperating with me, so neither of the full table shots are very good, I'm afraid.  In the background are some yellow roses -- a hint for next week's table!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you will leave a comment before you leave to visit all the wonderful tablescapes at Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!





50 comments:

  1. I loved this china when I first saw it on a previous post. I was thinking when I looked at the slideshow, That this would be pretty for fall.
    You Mama has some beautiful things, I know you enjoy playing with them. I you were breaking the linen transport law we are all in deep trouble. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Hi Tricia, Your china is so versatile because it looks just so different with the rust for the fall than it did with the yellow napkins and daffodils! And both looks work wonderfully! The dishes are beautiful. Linda

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  3. Lovely china and I love what you did with it -- it's a real fall tablescape. The dishes are beautiful.

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  4. Tricia,
    This is beautiful china. I love the silver and goblets with it too. Very pretty.
    Sherry

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  5. The china is so beautiful, Tricia! I love the accents too - the mums, the red placemats. Your etched goblets are stunning. Nicely done!
    Beth

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  6. Tricia -
    That is so funny! I might be guilty of smuggling linens in from a whole nother country!
    Linda at A Toile Tale

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  7. Beautiful ... and happy your mama lets you play with her stuff! Glassware is special ... and silverware is really pretty, too. Thanks for sharing. Take care of your mama.

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  8. What beautiful china! Great fun to be able to create new tables with it! The table looks just lovely!

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  9. Such gorgeous china, and I think you were perfectly justified to bring the placemats with you! They bring out the cinnamon color beautifully! Your mother's sterling and crystal are also beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us!

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  10. I am loving that china...beautiful colors and what a great job you did of setting them off for fall :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

    P.S. Please pop in for a visit...I am hosting a very special giveaway!

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  11. What a pretty set and the chrysanthemums wrapped in the green make a beautiful centrepiece!

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  12. You and your family have quite a collection of china and pretties -- I love how the mirror reflects the table. Such pretty china and Fostoria. Joni

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  13. How beautiful -- you've done a lovely job of picking up the red with the linens and flowers. What a pretty pattern.

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  14. Hello...

    Oooh...your mother's china is gorgeous! I have never seen this pretty pattern before. The beautiful flowers really are a work of art...such pretty colors too! They sure set a beautiful table. Glad that you had fun playing with your mom's dishes...and that you shared them with us!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  15. Tricia, this china is just lovely and I recognize that wonderful sterling! It is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us! Christie at Three Pixie Lane

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  16. Beautiful pattern~ especially with the cinnamon placemats...chuckling at smuggling them on a plane :-)

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  17. What a pretty pattern and so versatile. I love how you brought out the cinnamon color for fall.

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  18. Love the pattern. So glad you are "addicted" so we can see your tablescapes! The amber is so beautiful!

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  19. I love the older floral dishes. I love what you said about bringing your addiction to a whole new level. Had me chuckling. I think the amber with those plates is so pretty.

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  20. Beautiful...I love the dishes! You and your mom have some pretty dishes to play with! I think it is so funny that you took the placemats with you on the trip! You are certainly a plate addict...but you're not alone! Right ladies and gentlemen??????? Love your post...thanks for sharing!

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  21. With those dishes I can see many tables....no wonder you like them and the fact they are your mother's makes them all the more special.

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  22. I have Sweet Mr.'s mom's Castleton "Laurel." I love Castleton, too. I've often admired the Ma Lin...just gorgeous! So neat that your mama can see your appreciation for her lovely china. I have R&B "Grande Renaissance," very similar to your mama's silver. Great minds think alike! Thank you for sharing your family's treasures and for stopping by my post. Come visit any time. Cherry Kay

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  23. Wow...what a jump in pricing from 1951 to 2010!!! Great to know the pattern has held its value, though. Very nice!

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  24. This is such beautiful dishware. So bright and pretty.

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  25. Hi Tricia,
    thank you for your visit and your sweet comment. I haven't had the time to visit all of this wonderful event. But now I had a look at your table and I am off my socks, as you say in USA. This china is sooooooo great. Really outstanding. This is elegant! Clear shapes and colors, that is timeless. And what a nice combination with the amber glass. I can only say: WHow.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  26. Call volume is extremely slow today so I thought I would do some blog visiting.
    Thanks to Between Naps on the Porch for providing a link. I'm having a terrific time viewing all these beautiful tablescapes.
    I love the glasses.

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  27. Tricia, I had to laugh about your comment regarding traveling across state lines with linens. If it were a crime I'd be doing LIFE for sure. Dishes and linens have moved from a passion to a disease in our house.

    Your mother's china is just beautiful and so versatile with the colors. Its amazing how changing the "jewelry" can make the place setting look perfect for any season.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  28. WOW! Your Mother's dishes and silverware are so nice.Beautiful!..Such a lovely tablescape and I love the color of the mums.
    So appreciate your comment on LazyonLoblolly.
    -Jo

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  29. Hi Tricia,

    Your mother's china is just beautiful. It looks fresh and contemporary, and the colors you've selected for linens, glassware, and centerpiece set it off to perfection! Nicely done!

    Bill

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  30. I love your mama's china. The colors are so bright and beautiful!Your table is absolutely lovely.
    Jane (artfully graced)

    ps Thanks for stopping by Artfully Graced. I appreciate your sweet comments. It is so much fun to share my passion with others...and to encourage creativity.

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  31. Such beautiful china and the glassware is exceptional as well. No wonder you like playing with your Mom's dishes!

    - The Tablescaper

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  32. I have seen those dishes somewhere before but I can't remember where??? I really do like them. They really can inspire some great tablescapes don't they. Just like yours.
    The color of the glassware is so interesting with the pattern around the edge. Lovely. I will be following you now to see what you have done with those yellow roses.

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  33. How funny. You have taken the addiction to a new high....transporting table linens across state lines.

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  34. How beautiful china from your mother's and the glassware adsolutely lovely.
    thanks for stop on mi blog......
    XOX

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  35. Beautiful dishes--love the mum with them. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  36. Oh my this is just wonderful! I would give anything to have this set in my collection, its just beautiful! Also I adore the glassware, my favorite color.
    Thanks for coming by and your sweet comments about the table. It was a blast to do!
    Terry

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  37. These really are beautiful dishes and how wonderful to use your mother's things. I had to laugh about flying with the placemats. We have to leave space in our car when we go to Florida just for my HomeGoods purchases. We don't have a store here, so I stock up (if I'm lucky enough to hit good deals). My husband is getting used to it!

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  38. Your mother's china and silver are absolutely gorgeous! Your obsession is harmless -- if not, a lot of us are in trouble!

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  39. Very pretty! I love the Fostoria glasses, too!

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  40. What a pretty table, I love the glasses though, I really do! thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment about my Halloween table. Loved having you over, and hope you come back again, real soon! Have a great weekend! Sandi

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  41. That is incredible china!! And combining it with the Fostoria and that beautiful sterling, is just perfect. Another beautiful, elegant table!!

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  42. Your Mom's dishes and sterling are just fabulous! Your table settings really show off the distinctive quality of this special china.

    I have been known to carry dishes across state lines as I attend a family gathering at one of my sister's houses. We have a couple patterns alike and share for our big gatherings.

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  43. Tricia, this table is so pretty. Love all of the colors you used on it. That china pattern is stunning, and that pretty stemware is perfect with it. People do start thinking we tablescapers are a little crazy about going to extremes in setting up the tables for our photos-but it sure is fun to get to play with china at another house. Is your Mother ready to go buy some cin. colored place mats? laurie

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  44. China is so pretty and delicate, I remember my grandmother had type of this pattern, I love the colour and pattern very much, and second very appealing thing is that how you cover your planter, its lovely,... although your mats are very simple but so elegant that it enhance the beauty of your table...
    Lovely

    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Hope you did like to pay a visit to me:).
    Love
    Farah

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  45. Still love the Ma Lin! Thanks for your kind words today. I am having a great time thanks to you guys. Hugs, Ginger

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  46. Oh, those dishes are beautiful!!!! The table setting is lovely :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today:) It's lovely to "meet" you!

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  47. This china is beautiful...I love the oriental look of it, I always liked this designs in china, this Ma Lin design has a subttle oriental look. Where and when did you acquired this dishes and how many place settings do you have, Tricia? I love the ambar stem glasses too.

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  48. I bought 24 place settings of this pattern with 4 serving platers, 4 serving bowls, gravy boat, creamer, sugar bowl, and giant turkey platter at a thrift store yesterday all for $200! Yikes! What a bargain! Now I need to find a home for 1/2 of all this stuff as I have super limited cabinet space! Bummer though, no soup bowls! Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for beautiful china!

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