Tea for Two by raaen99 Via Flickr: The theme for “Smile on Saturday” for the 13th of November is “paint(ed)”. Anyone who follows my photostream knows that I love and collect 1:12 size miniatures which I photograph in realistic scenes. The artifice of recreating in minute detail items in 1:12 scale always amazes me, and it’s amazing how the eye can be fooled. Therefore, when the theme came up, I immediately thought of some of some of my amazingly detailed hand painted miniatures. It may look life size and real, but this tea set with its blue and gilt patterning and yellow roses is in fact a 1:12 miniature set. Based on a real Victorian design, it has been made of cast white metal by Warwick Miniatures in Ireland, who are well known for the quality and detail applied to their pieces. However, when you think that the teapot is just over one centimetre tall from finial to foot, the teacups, milk jug and sugar basket half a centimetre in height, and the saucers a half a centimetre in diameter, it is the detailed painting on them that takes centre stage, and why I chose them for today’s theme. This tea set was painted by hand using single hair brushes for some of the finer detailing, by British miniature artisan Victoria Fasken. Her accuracy and perfect attention to detail is extraordinary! Victoria’s work is highly prized by miniature collectors around the world and fetches high prices at auction. As miniature works of art, I’m sure you are not surprised. This set is a recent addition to my miniatures collection, so it is a pleasure to give it centre stage. I hope you like my choice for this week’s theme, and that it makes you smile!
