My Grandmother's Goblets

I am constantly amazed at the beautiful glassware on the market. The colors, the design and the sparkle are delectable — pure eye candy!

Of course I always want to own them. The idea of serving a deep Malbec in a cranberry-hued goblet or ice water in heavy Swedish crystal is alluring. Because of course, presentation is essential to the enjoyment of good food and drink.

In my spendthrift past I often bought glassware I did not need because I liked the way I thought it would look on my table. Once I paid $20 per goblet in a French-style wine shop, only to find the same glassware at TJ Maxx for $4.99 each. So I vowed “Never again!”

When Grandma Annie’s house was sold, I inherited her pressed glass goblets. For as long as I can remember, these attractive but inexpensive goblets were used at Sunday dinner and any other time Annie wanted to set an elaborate table. I know nothing about the glasses’ provenance. I do know she had them as a young married woman.

The exteriors of two or three of the glasses are speckled with the deep red paint used on the inside of a cabinet in her kitchen in the 1930s or 40s. I have no wish to remove those tiny red dots — on the outside, I am sure they are harmless.

My husband and I have a small collection of wine glasses and champagne flutes. But especially as the holidays approach, we start thinking about libations for Grandma Annie’s glasses. Right now, I am thinking about cider or some plum-y, jam-y wine from Lower Michigan. . .nothing too fancy as befits these simple but treasured glasses.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love pressed glass - and that is a gorgeous picture of yours. What a lovely legacy your Grandmother left you.

My friend gave me a few of small, pressed glass apperatif glasses and I used them as candle holders - They are the perfect size for a votive candle and the light is so pretty. I'll have to take a picture of them and show you.
Unknown said…
Great use for small glasses, Andrea, and I'll bet they love lovely with the light shining through.
Jann said…
What a wonderful post to read today.....I love to hear about the relationships that some "items" have in our lives....what special goblets..Cheers!
Unknown said…
I wish I'd known years ago that the way to outfit a kitchen (for the most part) and furnish a house was with items that had meaning attached to them (and not necessarily huge price tags). I would have a lot more money for travel now!
L Vanel said…
I raise a toast to Grandmothers and their goblets and teacups and lace. I think Jann is right. There is a whole lot of meaning in the objects we set our table with.
Unknown said…
I really only just discovered this. I guess when I was younger I was striving to be something I was not. Items had a lot to do with it. Plus, no one in the family was willing to part with anything until recently.
Mahek said…
hi
mimi
that a lovely goblet.
it so nice to have something old and from someone whom we love
Unknown said…
Yes, it is, even if the goblets are not especially valuable in terms of money, That doesn't matter! I keep thinking of all the meals at which these goblets were used. They are one of my links to Grandma Annie.
Anonymous said…
I love the personal touches with the very scenic photographs - a beautiful time of year in your part of the world.

Fiona

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