Penelope Bianchi

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A lifelong collection of a "Happy Bird"!!!

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I was minding my own business, (yes working!)  looking for furniture for clients in my favorite antique store in our area;  and this bird;  this happy little bird caught my eye!

What a delightful, fey,whimsical, little bird!  I was captivated!

And look!!!

Shelves all over the store filled with them!

plates,bowls. platters of all sizes, cups, saucers,  espresso tiny cups and saucers!  Oh my heart!!!

There had to be story about all this;  I could see subtle differences in the  glaze color, in the application of the trims;  and even slight differences in the bird!

I asked the owners, (twins who know everyone and everything about Santa Barbara County for the last 100 years!)

“Oh yes, Mrs. Flood collected this pattern for 50 years or more!”

Oh happy day! Mr and Mrs. James Flood bought the 37,000 acre “Rancho Sisquoc” in Santa Ynez, in 1952. Mrs. Flood died recently at 94 years old.

 This is her collection of  this Italian majolica.

Mrs. Flood went to Italy on her honeymoon in 1934.

That  is  when, in the small town of Monte Lupo,she was also

captivated by this happy little bird!

She returned at least once a year to add to this collection;

( and we learned later at the San Francisco Antiques Show);  she enlisted her siblings, children

and nephews and nieces to add to it when they travelled to Italy !

They were told not to come home without  at least one piece!

At the Antiques show , we ran into “Jimmy Flood” her son

who was in my husband’s class in grade school!

We also ran into her niece ;  Mrs. Gamble,

she told us the whole story!

“You bought all my Aunt Lizzie’s china!”

They were delighted that a “friend of the family” had bought

the entire collection!

I purchased all 120 pieces of her lifelong collection;  and here they are on my shelves!

What luck!  And honestly, they make me happy just to look at them!  And I eat at least one thing from them every day!

This is a charming little bowl

 

these little tiny cups I think are for espresso.


Here it is piled up and even more charming in its irregularity!

My guess is that this one is earlier than the others.  This bird is a little different;  and the circle around the middle is new;

I think probably a different artist , but in the same pottery!  This has been a pottery town since the 15th century!

A few chips add to the charm to me!

Same thing with this set;  a brighter yellow and a different eye!
I have always loved collecting!  So what fun to be able to ‘inherit’ a “much loved” collection from a “much loved” woman over her lifetime!
I heard she was , above all things FUN!!!
(I have heard nothing but wonderful stories about this lady!  Her favorite holidays were Halloween and April Fools!  Mine too!
And she was a real animal lover who was always rescuing stray dogs!!
(I do that as well!! dogs and other animals!)
In fact, many of my friends think it “looks like me”!  And can’t believe I haven’t had it!
I feel very lucky, indeed!
I hope you find things you will love and enjoy when they are “passed on”!
And Have Plenty of FUN in 2017!!!!!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Just so you all know; my dear friend Brooke, of Velvet and Linen fame’ has generously given me some tips on photos!

    There will be improvements made!!!

    No flash! She is an immense help!

    I hope to continue to improve!

    Reply

  2. Just so you all know; my dear friend Brooke, of Velvet and Linen fame’ has generously given me some tips on photos!

    There will be improvements made!!!

    No flash! She is an immense help!

    I hope to continue to improve!

    Reply

  3. Dear Penelope: FYI The Montecito Hardware Store in the upper village used to sell these dishes in the 70’s! I bought a complete set, my daughter now has them. I have only kept the candle holders. Don’t you just love them?!

    Reply

  4. Dear Penelope: FYI The Montecito Hardware Store in the upper village used to sell these dishes in the 70’s! I bought a complete set, my daughter now has them. I have only kept the candle holders. Don’t you just love them?!

    Reply

  5. Penelope,

    Your story reinforces my feeling that there are things at play that are beyond our ability to explain – that there are some things that are simply meant to be. I’m willing to bet that somewhere, Mrs. Flood is smiling.

    Happy New Year!

    John

    Reply

  6. Penelope,

    Your story reinforces my feeling that there are things at play that are beyond our ability to explain – that there are some things that are simply meant to be. I’m willing to bet that somewhere, Mrs. Flood is smiling.

    Happy New Year!

    John

    Reply

  7. Well yes, of course Brooke and Steeve have the best tips! I will suggest one more, a GorillaPod, which is a tiny, flexible tripod that you can put on a table top. I have shaky hands and it helps!

    I loved this story and will admit to getting teary eyed when I read that you saved the whole collection. What a special lady you are, Madame Bianchi. Wishing you all the very best for the year ahead…

    Reply

  8. Well yes, of course Brooke and Steeve have the best tips! I will suggest one more, a GorillaPod, which is a tiny, flexible tripod that you can put on a table top. I have shaky hands and it helps!

    I loved this story and will admit to getting teary eyed when I read that you saved the whole collection. What a special lady you are, Madame Bianchi. Wishing you all the very best for the year ahead…

    Reply

  11. Completely charming, I love them! Do you know what the pattern is called? I looked on ebay using Majolica and bird as a search and not a single piece was to be found!

    Reply

  12. Completely charming, I love them! Do you know what the pattern is called? I looked on ebay using Majolica and bird as a search and not a single piece was to be found!

    Reply

  17. Penelope what a treasure trove of little birds. This pottery collection is truly wonderful. I know you will cherish it!

    Happy New Years to you and yours!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply

  18. Penelope what a treasure trove of little birds. This pottery collection is truly wonderful. I know you will cherish it!

    Happy New Years to you and yours!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply

  19. You too?

    Blessedly I had a mentor providing me the epiphany to buy things that made me Happy/Giddy/Smile.

    Glad you knew to buy ALL you saw of your happy bird.

    Pure magic watching your parents on video. How did they know to be so natural? Their smiles still living. Their kisses still landing.

    XO T

    Reply

    • Thank you Tara. I know you understand the “magic” (the only word that works) of this tape. I believe that after the wedding….at the end..they were filming each other. My “Auntie Eve” was the other girl…and she filmed them together; but when the end of that movie came…..just him….talking to the camera; and her; just talking to the camera…….(and they were talking!) I think they were filming each other.!! You are so right. Not many people were “natural”!!! Kinda sad………still the same case today! Isn’t it? That was 78 years ago!

      I love and will save forever your response. What I love and treasure and was so lucky to have in my Mother…..she was always “natural” She “modeled” that! No one ever taught me to be “unnatural” So I think; I don’t know how!
      It is a “gift”
      You were so lucky (and smart) to find a “mentor” who taught you what you wanted to learn. She did. “What you wanted to learn”.
      “When the student is ready; the teacher will come”!
      You found each other!
      Give yourself credit for “what you wanted to learn,”That is a big part of it!
      What a gift!
      Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Reply

  20. You too?

    Blessedly I had a mentor providing me the epiphany to buy things that made me Happy/Giddy/Smile.

    Glad you knew to buy ALL you saw of your happy bird.

    Pure magic watching your parents on video. How did they know to be so natural? Their smiles still living. Their kisses still landing.

    XO T

    Reply

    • Thank you Tara. I know you understand the “magic” (the only word that works) of this tape. I believe that after the wedding….at the end..they were filming each other. My “Auntie Eve” was the other girl…and she filmed them together; but when the end of that movie came…..just him….talking to the camera; and her; just talking to the camera…….(and they were talking!) I think they were filming each other.!! You are so right. Not many people were “natural”!!! Kinda sad………still the same case today! Isn’t it? That was 78 years ago!

      I love and will save forever your response. What I love and treasure and was so lucky to have in my Mother…..she was always “natural” She “modeled” that! No one ever taught me to be “unnatural” So I think; I don’t know how!
      It is a “gift”
      You were so lucky (and smart) to find a “mentor” who taught you what you wanted to learn. She did. “What you wanted to learn”.
      “When the student is ready; the teacher will come”!
      You found each other!
      Give yourself credit for “what you wanted to learn,”That is a big part of it!
      What a gift!
      Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Reply

  21. Penelope,
    It’s the little things in life, isn’t it. What great story and such a fun set of dishes. I love dishes, flatware, stemware that make me smile when I eat or drink.
    Karen

    Reply

    • I talk on and on and on and on. You just summed it up in three small perfect sentences. All of it. YES!!! My point exactly. My readers are so good at this! I am so grateful to have readers of my stories!

      We do eat and drink every day! What fun to be “elated” when I have lunch! I have had these things for three weeks or something…..and the joy they create…..not only for me! My friends say….
      “You have always had these! They look like you!”
      Delightful.. I am so lucky to have found them!

      Reply

  22. Penelope,
    It’s the little things in life, isn’t it. What great story and such a fun set of dishes. I love dishes, flatware, stemware that make me smile when I eat or drink.
    Karen

    Reply

    • I talk on and on and on and on. You just summed it up in three small perfect sentences. All of it. YES!!! My point exactly. My readers are so good at this! I am so grateful to have readers of my stories!

      We do eat and drink every day! What fun to be “elated” when I have lunch! I have had these things for three weeks or something…..and the joy they create…..not only for me! My friends say….
      “You have always had these! They look like you!”
      Delightful.. I am so lucky to have found them!

      Reply

  23. I have one of the cups!I purchased in an open market in GREVE in the middle of the Chianti region back in 1992.Am sipping my latte now from it!I checked the bottom but there are no markings…….BRAVA to YOU for keeping the set together!Gorgeous story.

    Reply

  24. I have one of the cups!I purchased in an open market in GREVE in the middle of the Chianti region back in 1992.Am sipping my latte now from it!I checked the bottom but there are no markings…….BRAVA to YOU for keeping the set together!Gorgeous story.

    Reply

  25. I have one of the cups!I purchased in an open market in GREVE in the middle of the Chianti region back in 1992.Am sipping my latte now from it!I checked the bottom but there are no markings…….BRAVA to YOU for keeping the set together!Gorgeous story.

    Reply

  32. I would have bought the whole collection! Loved this post Penelope..thanks so much for sharing and following my blog. I am delighted to meet you and following along!

    Best wishes for an INSPIRING year…you have surely done that for me!

    Jeanne xx

    Reply

  33. I would have bought the whole collection! Loved this post Penelope..thanks so much for sharing and following my blog. I am delighted to meet you and following along!

    Best wishes for an INSPIRING year…you have surely done that for me!

    Jeanne xx

    Reply

  34. I would have bought the whole collection! Loved this post Penelope..thanks so much for sharing and following my blog. I am delighted to meet you and following along!

    Best wishes for an INSPIRING year…you have surely done that for me!

    Jeanne xx

    Reply

    • THANK YOU SO MUCH Gwen! I actually bought 2/3ds of it……on Thursday….and I could not sleep. I swear……I usually sleep easily. I could not sleep!
      IN the morning….I fed the dogs, I had breakfast with my wonderful husband….and I knew there was a “burr” in my “fur” (our dogs get them!)
      I just sat down quietly (something I rarely do…am usually on a mad dash somewhere!) and it popped into my head! “go get all of it! They want to be together!) So I did!

      I have not had a lot of time to study these…..I will do another blog because I find it totally fascinating…….there are at least 3 different artists at work here……and the designs are fascinatingly different!
      It has been a great gift falling upon this find! so glad you are interested! Thank you for reading my blog!

      Reply

    • THANK YOU SO MUCH Gwen! I actually bought 2/3ds of it……on Thursday….and I could not sleep. I swear……I usually sleep easily. I could not sleep!
      IN the morning….I fed the dogs, I had breakfast with my wonderful husband….and I knew there was a “burr” in my “fur” (our dogs get them!)
      I just sat down quietly (something I rarely do…am usually on a mad dash somewhere!) and it popped into my head! “go get all of it! They want to be together!) So I did!

      I have not had a lot of time to study these…..I will do another blog because I find it totally fascinating…….there are at least 3 different artists at work here……and the designs are fascinatingly different!
      It has been a great gift falling upon this find! so glad you are interested! Thank you for reading my blog!

      Reply

    • THANK YOU SO MUCH Gwen! I actually bought 2/3ds of it……on Thursday….and I could not sleep. I swear……I usually sleep easily. I could not sleep!
      IN the morning….I fed the dogs, I had breakfast with my wonderful husband….and I knew there was a “burr” in my “fur” (our dogs get them!)
      I just sat down quietly (something I rarely do…am usually on a mad dash somewhere!) and it popped into my head! “go get all of it! They want to be together!) So I did!

      I have not had a lot of time to study these…..I will do another blog because I find it totally fascinating…….there are at least 3 different artists at work here……and the designs are fascinatingly different!
      It has been a great gift falling upon this find! so glad you are interested! Thank you for reading my blog!

      Reply

  38. Penelope, So fetching and whimsical! Hope you enjoyed your coffee cards from Starbucks! I didn’t post your very sweet “Thank you” comment because it had your address in it, and I wasn’t sure you wanted that made public. Hope your holidays were divine!

    Reply

  39. Penelope, So fetching and whimsical! Hope you enjoyed your coffee cards from Starbucks! I didn’t post your very sweet “Thank you” comment because it had your address in it, and I wasn’t sure you wanted that made public. Hope your holidays were divine!

    Reply

  40. Penelope, So fetching and whimsical! Hope you enjoyed your coffee cards from Starbucks! I didn’t post your very sweet “Thank you” comment because it had your address in it, and I wasn’t sure you wanted that made public. Hope your holidays were divine!

    Reply

  41. Just read your comment an AAL’s blog about what it takes to live to be 105. By those standards PB, you will live to be at least 150! These happy birds are so you. Best wishes and so looking forward to seeing how you’ll be tearing up 2012.

    Reply

  42. Just read your comment an AAL’s blog about what it takes to live to be 105. By those standards PB, you will live to be at least 150! These happy birds are so you. Best wishes and so looking forward to seeing how you’ll be tearing up 2012.

    Reply

  43. Just read your comment an AAL’s blog about what it takes to live to be 105. By those standards PB, you will live to be at least 150! These happy birds are so you. Best wishes and so looking forward to seeing how you’ll be tearing up 2012.

    Reply

  50. I was stunned to see your dish set as my parents have a tea set of this pattern at their apartment in Venice! The set was in the apartment when it was left to them in the last 70s by a family friend. There is a sweet tea pot, creamer, sugar bowl with lid and four cups and saucers. I usually use it for my morning tea as I sit in the kitchen overlooking canale della Giudecca!

    Reply

  51. I was stunned to see your dish set as my parents have a tea set of this pattern at their apartment in Venice! The set was in the apartment when it was left to them in the last 70s by a family friend. There is a sweet tea pot, creamer, sugar bowl with lid and four cups and saucers. I usually use it for my morning tea as I sit in the kitchen overlooking canale della Giudecca!

    Reply

  52. I was stunned to see your dish set as my parents have a tea set of this pattern at their apartment in Venice! The set was in the apartment when it was left to them in the last 70s by a family friend. There is a sweet tea pot, creamer, sugar bowl with lid and four cups and saucers. I usually use it for my morning tea as I sit in the kitchen overlooking canale della Giudecca!

    Reply

  58. Hi Penny: I love this post. I am obsessed with the marbleized French dishes. I think they come from Aptes (sp?). Thank you for the happy birthday wishes!
    Best,
    Liz

    Reply

  59. Hi Penny: I love this post. I am obsessed with the marbleized French dishes. I think they come from Aptes (sp?). Thank you for the happy birthday wishes!
    Best,
    Liz

    Reply

  60. Hi Penny: I love this post. I am obsessed with the marbleized French dishes. I think they come from Aptes (sp?). Thank you for the happy birthday wishes!
    Best,
    Liz

    Reply

    • We went to a party for Richard Mineards birthday your mother was a cohostess! She looked fabulous!
      I misunderstood the hours…..and I tried to find your mother before the “end”!

      I missed her! Great party….most of all…..your Mommy looked terrific! Seriously……terrific!
      Love!!

      Penny

      Reply

    • We went to a party for Richard Mineards birthday your mother was a cohostess! She looked fabulous!
      I misunderstood the hours…..and I tried to find your mother before the “end”!

      I missed her! Great party….most of all…..your Mommy looked terrific! Seriously……terrific!
      Love!!

      Penny

      Reply

    • We went to a party for Richard Mineards birthday your mother was a cohostess! She looked fabulous!
      I misunderstood the hours…..and I tried to find your mother before the “end”!

      I missed her! Great party….most of all…..your Mommy looked terrific! Seriously……terrific!
      Love!!

      Penny

      Reply

  64. via email: (people don’t know to click on the title when it arrives in email……to get the whole thing!)

    My friend from the NWF read it; and wrote to me:

    Penny, I have to tell you that even though I no longer travel for the National Wildlife Federation, I read your posts with great joy, and I just utterly lost my heart to your little Happy Bird from Italy. Thanks so much for sharing this delightful story!

    Day

    Reply

  65. via email: (people don’t know to click on the title when it arrives in email……to get the whole thing!)

    My friend from the NWF read it; and wrote to me:

    Penny, I have to tell you that even though I no longer travel for the National Wildlife Federation, I read your posts with great joy, and I just utterly lost my heart to your little Happy Bird from Italy. Thanks so much for sharing this delightful story!

    Day

    Reply

  66. via email: (people don’t know to click on the title when it arrives in email……to get the whole thing!)

    My friend from the NWF read it; and wrote to me:

    Penny, I have to tell you that even though I no longer travel for the National Wildlife Federation, I read your posts with great joy, and I just utterly lost my heart to your little Happy Bird from Italy. Thanks so much for sharing this delightful story!

    Day

    Reply

  70. Penelope I am not sure if this was reposted or how I missed it. I actually came over from James’ site to see you!

    The dishes and design are wonderful!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply

  71. Penelope I am not sure if this was reposted or how I missed it. I actually came over from James’ site to see you!

    The dishes and design are wonderful!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply

  72. Penelope I am not sure if this was reposted or how I missed it. I actually came over from James’ site to see you!

    The dishes and design are wonderful!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply

  76. I came to your A lifelong collection of a “Happy Bird”!!! – McCormick Interiors page and noticed you could have a lot more hits. I have found that the key to running a popular website is making sure the visitors you are getting are interested in your niche. There is a company that you can get traffic from and they let you try the service for free. I managed to get over 300 targeted visitors to day to my website. Visit them here: http://anders.ga/1oahd

    Reply

  77. Dear Penny, Thank you so very much for your kind comments on my so, it is so appreciated…
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply

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