ANTIQUE SILVER SERVERS

FOR THE DINING TABLE

By B. Seymour Rabinovitch

Silver serving pieces are both important examples of dining table accoutrements as well as some of the most beautiful and striking products of the silversmith's art. They first came into prominence in the early eighteenth century as an accompaniment of the development of table cutlery and the refinement of dining practices. They comprise a host of implements including fish, pudding, cake, tart, asparagus, salad, chop, sandwich, entree, cheese, butter, and other servers.

In this monograph the author discusses the historical origins and the functional and stylistic development of broad-bladed antique silver servers in the period 1700-1900. Connections are made to the foods, culinary and social customs, and to the societal background of the times, and their evolution.

Some 400 examples of servers are illustrated in black and white. British articles are thoroughly covered. Comparisons to, and differences from European and American developments are delineated, with many illustrations. This book represents the first comprehensive treatment of the subject and will be of interest to collectors of silver, to metalsmiths, to persons in the culinary professions, and to students of the decorative arts and social history.

CONTENTS:

CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND

Prefatory Remarks
Early Origins
Other Materials
Fakes, Defects, Condition and Repairs
References

CHAPTER TWO: FOODS AND DINING CUSTOMS

Foods and Eating Habits
Silver Dining Service
References

CHAPTER THREE: TROWELS

History
Blade Shape and Decoration
Handles
Function
Marks and Makers
References

CHAPTER FOUR: LONG OVAL SERVERS

History
Blade Shape
Handles
Function
Decoration
Marks and Makers
References

CHAPTER FIVE: SCIMITAR AND LATER SERVERS. PAIR SETS

History
Blade Shape
Handles
Blade Decoration
Function
Other Servers and Pair Sets
Marks and Makers
References

CHAPTER SIX: TRANSIENT SHAPES: 1780-1840

History, Function and Decoration
Oblong Servers
Shaped Long-Ovals
Modified Scimitar
Acorn Shape
Kidney Shape
Other Shapes
References

CHAPTER SEVEN: OTHER SERVERS

Fork Slices
Individual Place Service: Fish Pairs
Dessert and Fruit Utensils
Double-Bladed Servers
Asparagus, Salad and Related Servers
Butter and Tart Servers and Related Implements
References

 

8.5"x11", 291 pages, 400 b&w illustrations, hardcover, dust jacket.

Please click here for the Errata and Addenda list

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