I love the 40's. The whole nation was frugal due to WWII and rationing and the Make do and Mend philosophy is one I aspire to. I also love the fashion and home wares of that time, so imagine my delight when I came across this while making a cuppa at my local Weight Watchers meeting.
Cupboards and cupboards full of Woods Ware Beryl utility china.
Utility china is the name given for pastel coloured china manufactured during WWII and beyond which was functional and could be bought a piece at a time - so bombed out families could replace what they had lost. The Utility scheme was government controlled and included other household items such as furniture.
Just looking at them makes me think of village halls decked out with bunting with women looking prim in 40's style dresses eating cakes and drinking tea out of these cups with Vera Lynn playing in the background.
Oh those Dymo labels!
My nan used to have a set of Beryl, complete with teapot. She gave it to me for our vintage themed wedding as it was destined for the charity shop. I am ashamed to say that I sold it on Ebay afterwards as this was before I was enlightened to the charm of utility china by the wonderful but slightly mad A Thrifty Mrs. Now please excuse me while I bang my head on this brick wall.
Such a lovely post with interesting history, i've never seen this china before x
ReplyDeleteIt turns up in charity shops and and car boot sales often. There are other types that are different pastel colours, have a look at the utility china flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/utilitychina/
ReplyDeleteOr go and look through your local village hall's cupboards!
I can't get into Beryl stuff - I wish I could - too many associations with it always seeming to be the china in rented holiday places and various NHS canteens.... love the idea behind the Utility label though.
ReplyDeleteYes they do have a sterile, NHS feel to them, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this was Utility china. This was the china the teachers used at my secondary school. I couldn't own it for that reason, too many associations! : ) GG
ReplyDeleteIt isn't utility!!!!!!
ReplyDelete