Czar & Queen of Russia: A Tablescape

Today, Kathleen is having a "Destination Challenge" on Let's Dish.

I chose to go Russian.

I invited the Czar and the Queen to join us.

Before I show you more of my table, let's visit the palaces of Russia and see how they set their table.

Below is Catherine's Summer Palace in Pushkin.You should see this palace, it's huge! It's a mile long. I wouldn't mind having enemies as guests here cause all I have to do is put them at the other end of the wing and I would never see them, lol.

How about Peterhof, Peter the Great's Summer palace? The table settings are really elegant. I do have similar urns but I used the table in the breakfast nook and they won't fit there. The fountains outside the palace is really what is impressive in this place.

Next, let's see an ordinary Russian citizen's table. This is where we were served lunch when we went to St. Petersburg, Russia. Not bad but not as luxurious and elegant as in the palaces.

My table is somewhat in between but closer to the ordinary one, lol.

I brought the queen and czar vodka decanters there and they are still full of vodka because I wouldn't let anobody drink them, lol.

80% of known amber comes from the baltic area so there are a lot of them in Russia. They sell them all over. For that reason, I added an amber tree as part of my centerpiece. Note the little Russian children figurine on a carriage.

They have so much amber there that Catherine's summer palace even has an amber room. The room below is all made of amber. Even the walls were lined with amber. Sorry the picture is out of focus. We weren't allowed to take pictures in that room but my camera accidentally just clicked:-)

And of course, we can't think Russian without thinking Faberge eggs.

I decided to use blue and white dishes. I almost took this set to my booth to sell them but I am glad I kept them. I just have way too many blue and white dishes.

Below is a collection of blue and white china displayed at the palace in Tallinn, Estonia. I know Estonia is not part of Russia anymore but it used to be.

I got this set of S & P shakers from an antique store in Destin, FL.

And just like Faberge eggs, Russian nesting

dolls called matryoshka , though not as expensive, are also in abundance there.

I found my Russian hand painted lacquered

napkin rings from Ebay. I like the fact that they all have a different design. Isn't that a magnificent mosque? I have my little version on the table too, just not quite lavish.

I found this ceramic cloche from a resale shop in New Orleans.

The  etched crystals came from an estate sale.

The blue tapered Bohemian
glasses are from Ebay. They will be perfect for our Vodka. Have you ever tasted Russian vodka? It is very strong
so you do not need big glasses.

The taller wine glasses are from Mikasa.

Russian laquered shot glasses.

Thanks so much for this challenge, Kathleen. I really enjoyed it. I hope you get to visit the Kathleen and the other "Let's Dish"  participants at

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

I would also like to link with

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop at

http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Susan's Tablesape Thursday at

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Kathy's Home and garden
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Honey's Potpourri Friday at

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Thanks y'all for stopping by and many thanks to all the gracious hostesses.