Antique Lesson - Knife Box

Believe it or not, in the middle ages people usually brought their own cutlery with them when eating away from home.  Later, as cutlery became more readily available, decorative cases, especially for the knives, were often left on display in the dining room.  These beautiful works of art were the ingenuity of the english cabinet-makers during the last quarter of the 18th century.   

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Mahogany and satinwood were the woods most frequently used and many were inlaid with lighter toned woods.  Look at these beautiful examples. 

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I think a pair of these would be so stunning on a buffet. 

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Here's a close up of the inside of the boxes.

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And this one includes the original cutlery.

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  These graceful receptacles, often made in pairs, still exist in fairly large numbers and are often converted into stationary cabinets for a more practical use.  As in the example below.

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Prior to knife boxes, were these knife urns.  They were placed on pedestals flanking a sideboard.  An English innovation for high-style dining rooms in the late 1760's, they went out of fashion the following decade with the creation of knife boxes that were place on the sideboard.

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That's the history of the knife box!  For more information, click here.
  Have a great day. M.

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Antique Lesson - Bouillotte Table

Bouilloutte (click here for pronunciation) is a card game that was wildly popular in France in the 18th century.  It became such the rage a special table (and lamp) was created just for the game.  These tables included a felt top (also known as a bouchon) which would be place in the inset area while the table was used for playing the game and then removed to revel the marble top so the table could also have an everyday use.  

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The table is in the Louis style (notice the legs), and I think it's a marvelous piece.  I love the traditional french vibe but I also think it is wonderful mixed with more modern pieces (I even think the marble top allows it to blend nicely with midcentury modern pieces).

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For a very detailed discussion of this beautiful table click here.  Also, if you want to learn how to actually play the game, knock yourself out by clicking here!  M.

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Antique Lesson - Heart Ex-Votos

Years ago, I saw an image that stopped me in my tracks.  Although I can't remember the specific shelter magazine,  it was an image of a stunning home and on a table was a very large collection of these.
I remember thinking, what in the world are those gorgeous things?  Why can't I collect something unique and cool?

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I've since learned these beautiful objects are called Heart Ex-Votos and they actually have a religious purpose.  They are a form of votive offering to a saint or divinity.   These offerings are given in the fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion.   They are generally placed in a church or chapel where the worshiper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. 

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For the heart shaped ex-voto, many open like a locket and includes a prayer, note or thank you for the completion of a miracle.  So, the ex-voto is both public (since you leave it at the church for others to read for encouragement) and personal (since they usually include a very personal story about the giver). 

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Although some are made of silver, the large majority were created out of tin and may include a picture of the bearer or of the person the prayer is in honor of when presented.  

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Many shrines at the end of long pilgrimages, include large areas decorated with ex-votos.  These can take many forms of which the heart is one.  These have a Italian origin, but quickly spread to the New World by Spanish settlers. 

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If you are considering a unique collection, I think these are amazingly beautiful and interesting.  Have a wonderful day! M.

PS: for additional information on these lovely objects go here and here. 

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Antique Lesson - Mustard Pot

I always assumed that mustard got it's name from the mustard plant which bears the seeds used in mustard.  But apparently, it's the other way around!

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The mustard plant acquired its name from the French (moutarde) which in turn came from the Latin word for infermented wine: mustum.  Wine was mixed with the powdered seed of a plant (now known as the mustard plant) and used to season foods.  Initially, it was served in it's powdered form table side (sort of like salt).  The change from dry to wet mustard took place some time in the 18th century.  So, mustard got it's name from infermented wine!  Source - The What is? Silver Dictionary.

One of the main reasons I continue to post on unusual silver pieces is because I am fascinated by how much time and energy were devoted to ensuring commonly used products (like mustard) were served in a beautiful way.  We are talking mustard here, people! 

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Once mustard pots became popular, silversmiths began to create a variety of shapes and styles.  It was very common for the body of the pot to be pierced to allow the beautiful blue glass (included to prevent corrosion) to show through as ornamentation. 

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I think a mustard pot would be a wonderful addition to a beautiful table setting.  You just have to think about something you could serve that requires mustard?  

No, I was not thinking hot dogs . . . Maybe something a bit more creative.

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How about Beef Tenderloin with Mustard Roasted Potatoes (from Smitten Kitchen) and extra mustard for serving in your silver mustard pot, of course!! 

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Wow!  I think I'm hungry now.  

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A post about silver making me hungry.  Who knew! 

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Have a great Monday. M.

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Antique Lesson - Silver Breakfast Dish

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I have always loved these beautiful silver serving pieces.  For years I wondered what they were originally used for and at one point asked a friend who is well versed on such things.  She said, "Oh, those are game servers."  So, from then on I've been calling them game servers.  When I tried to do a little computer research on them using "game server" as my search term,  I quickly realized she was misinformed!  So, here's the scoop on this unusual piece.

According to the Bryan Douglas Antique Silver Company, this beautiful dish was used for serving hot food at breakfast, and usually placed on a sideboard.

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 The earliest known examples date from the latter part of the 18th century but they are rare in silver before 1790. 

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Some have in-built spirit burner lamps underneath to keep the food warm, whereas later ones have a revolving cover and a hot-water compartment in the base.

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Decoration varied from very plain early styles, through heavily engraved Victorian examples.

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The vast majority were made in the 19th century in silverplate and they are still being made today.  Most have an oval body sitting on four feet.  

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So, now you know the story behind this rare find.
As for an affordable look-a-like on this one . . . I found none.  If you have a source, I would love to hear about it.  

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Antique Lesson - Epergne

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When I got married my wonderful Mother-in-law (and I do mean that, I am very lucky to have such an amazing MIL) used an epergne (click here for the pronunciation of this crazy word!) for the centerpiece at a bride's luncheon.  It was one of the prettiest things I had ever seen.  My wedding was in May, and the epergne was covered in fresh garden flowers and sweet treats.  

Since then, I have seen them in high end antique stores and been very curious about their origin.  So, here's the scoop.

According to the Silver Vault of Charleston, the epergne arrived in England in the first quarter of the 18th century. The word, "epergne", stemmed from the French "epaigner," meaning thrifty. The use of these large objects in the center of the table avoided waste. Each guest helped him or herself from the main bowl, thus eliminating the disposal of expensive delicacies left on an individual's plate. The saucers or baskets could be adapted to individual use. The earlier, baroque form tended to be complex, incorporating dining accessories like caster, cruets, salts and sauce boats and graced the table throughout dinner. Some examples served as a dressing for the dessert course, showcasing condiments, fruits, nuts and other luxuries. Economic feasibility drove silversmiths to replace the expensive silver saucers with less expensive, crystal dishes. This same reason also resulted in many more examples being produced in Old Sheffield Plate, rather than sterling.

I think they are gorgeous and would be amazing in any dining room.  The price for the real deal is comparable to a luxury car, but I was able to find one affordable option (yes, only one).  

Here are some of my favorites.

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This little beauty at 24" tall will set you back $79,000.00 

(and some change for shipping of course).

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Another "cha ching" from Christies will run you around $75,000.00.  It has the addition of candlesticks which is nice.

This one is a called a flower epergne, which technically is not a true epergne since it does not hold candies or nuts, but it's really elegant.  I love the art deco feel of it. 

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As mentioned above, this is a crystal and silver plated version which does cut down greatly on the cost. 

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I found this romantic blown glass version on a wonderful Canadian blog called Windlost.  She did a great compilation of epergnes in this post a few years ago.  So, if you want to see more, click over and check it out . 

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OK, and now for the only affordable version I was able to find.  I do think it must be a very small scale piece, but it is really pretty and at $49.00 very affordable. 

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That's your history/antique lesson for the day!  Now go out and make your self look like a total antique geek impress your friends with your epergne knowledge!  M.

PS: I am being featured by Laura over at Bright, Bold and Beautiful today on segment she is doing on "Where We Blog."  If you have a minute, click over.  Her blog is beautiful!  http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/02/where-we-blog-home-office-favorite-cozy_11.html

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