The Bunny Cupboard Display

Thrifting WonderlandUncategorized30 Comments on The Bunny Cupboard Display

Bunnykins, Peter Rabbit, and other assorted rabbits all came out of their winter homes to decorate the china cabinet for Spring. Welcome to the Blog today, Friends, for a visit with some of my favorite bunny dishes from Wedgewood, Spode and other great china makers.

When I was little I had special dishes that were set at my place at dinnertime. I was a picky eater and not very adventuresome when it came to food so my parents did what they could to encourage me to eat. I remember having special bunny dishes. I didn’t get to use them every day but it was always an occasion when they were on the table. My older brother had a set and so did my younger brother. When we left home our special dishes went with us so our children could use them.

In the picture above you can see that the “Bunnykins” dishes, on the bottom row, feature different scenes of life for the bunnies. In one the children are in the kitchen with Mama Rabbit rolling out pastry. In another they are preparing for bed with Father Rabbit and in another taking a walk together outside. These homey scenes are typical of this type of china. They also have rabbits encircling the rim of the dishes. The dishes are quite sturdy though made of fine china.

A typical set of china would come with a plate, a bowl, and a mug. Sometimes the mug would have one handle and sometimes two. I loved the two-handled ones especially when they held hot chocolate.

Wedgewood has a series of “Peter Rabbit” china based on the Beatrix Potter stories. Eating dinner and hearing the tale of Peter Rabbit is one of my fondest memories. Poor Peter…..he really did get into a lot of trouble for a little rabbit. The china is colored in blues with pops of red and has words from the original story on the rim of the dishes. These dishes are still favorites with children today.

A row of newer bunny plates is included in the collection. Like the Peter Rabbit plates these bunnies are drawn from life and are quite attractive. There are four plates that show rabbits in four different scenes. They are combined with some spring flowers that add lots of color to the plates. A little Peter Rabbit cup is set in front of these rabbit plates.

A Michael Aram tea set in a polished metal sits above the rabbits. The tea set is very organic with plant stem handles and spouts. It fits in nicely with the natural theme of the bunnies.

In this picture you can see some bunny figurines collected from Thrift Stores. They have the same colors and sweet faces as the bunny plates. A Peter Rabbit double-handled cup is part of this little display. Mama Rabbit is helping Peter with his coat.

This pretty little rabbit has a flower collar and watches over the baby rabbit that sits close by.

An English Ironstone teapot with a creamer and sugar sits on a silver tray on the cabinet. No visit with Peter Rabbit would be complete without a cup of Chamomile Tea.

It’s nice to revisit childhood memories with their feelings of love and security. My original set of china belongs to our daughter and the rest were thrifted. I feel like I now hold the happy memories of other children in my china cabinet display.