Silver Epergne
The name for this type of centrepiece is an English invention and although the word epergne sounds French, it has little meaning to historians in France.
Silver Epergne
An eight branch silver epergne, William Cripps, London, 1757,engraved with the arms of Dyke of Horsham, Sussex, probably for Anne Dyke, widow of Sir Thomas Dyke of Lullingston Castle, Devon.
Part of the Leslie Boothman & Arthur Smallwood Bequest
Height: 36cm; Weight: 157oz. CT1989.350
The name for this type of centrepiece, the epergne, although sounding French, is an English invention and probably meant to suggest that the structure was some sort of “Treasury”.
It would stand in the middle of the table throughout the meal and was used to hold the various dishes of the dessert course, comprising the so called “Wet” and “Dry” sweetmeats.
The large centre basket could be used for fruit, but in this instance contains “Manus Christi”, a sugar confection covered in real gold leaf (The recipe for this appears in a family manual entitled Arcana Fairfaxiana).
The small baskets on branches hold the “Dry” sweetmeats, such as Lovers Knots made from quince paste, Long Comfits, said to be powerful aphrodisiacs and Queen’s Chocolata, an unripe cocoa bean spiked with thin pieces of cinnamon and coated in sugar.
There are also four branches for candles. It was considered that eight candles were sufficient to light a dining room table at this time. The silver on the table and the white damask tablecloth would provide the extra reflections needed to make this presentation acceptable.
Part of the Leslie Boothman & Arthur Smallwood Bequest
Height: 36cm; Weight: 157oz. CT1989.350
The name for this type of centrepiece, the epergne, although sounding French, is an English invention and probably meant to suggest that the structure was some sort of “Treasury”.
It would stand in the middle of the table throughout the meal and was used to hold the various dishes of the dessert course, comprising the so called “Wet” and “Dry” sweetmeats.
The large centre basket could be used for fruit, but in this instance contains “Manus Christi”, a sugar confection covered in real gold leaf (The recipe for this appears in a family manual entitled Arcana Fairfaxiana).
The small baskets on branches hold the “Dry” sweetmeats, such as Lovers Knots made from quince paste, Long Comfits, said to be powerful aphrodisiacs and Queen’s Chocolata, an unripe cocoa bean spiked with thin pieces of cinnamon and coated in sugar.
There are also four branches for candles. It was considered that eight candles were sufficient to light a dining room table at this time. The silver on the table and the white damask tablecloth would provide the extra reflections needed to make this presentation acceptable.
This object is located in the Dining Room
It is categorised as Silver work
This page was last updated on 2 May 2008