Once upon a time things were kept for “best”

Sorting through some items on their way to a charity shop I looked at the rear of these little plates and saw” Made in England’”. Not many are made there now and poor Stoke on Trent has definitely seen better days.
The display cabinets in many front rooms were full of collections of fine china often accumulated over many years starting with wedding presents. Whether they were ever used was a different matter. Perhaps when great aunts visited and sandwiches prepared with the crusts given to the birds.
More tea vicar?