Informal Victorian Dessert Course
The Victorian informal dessert course (most likely fruits arranged
on a pedestal server with nuts in the shell scattered on the table) after
formal Victorian dinners has always intrigued me. It seemed the perfect thing for Thanksgiving
this year.
I’ve read that after a formal dinner everything would be removed
from the table including the tablecloth.
Then the maid took
the finger bowls, (which had been previously arranged on a plate, protected by
a doily, with rose petals floating on the warm water and the fruit knife and nutpick
on the plate) and placed one at the left of each guest, removing her pie or
pudding plate if she has finished.
Nut crackers
and grape scissors are laid in convenient places, and when all have finished
with the pie or pudding, the maid retires and leaves the guests to the informal
enjoyment of the fruit and nuts.
Each person
removes the plate from under the finger bowl, leaving the doily under the bowl,
and uses this plate for the nuts or fruit.
I think it is a
lovely way to end the evening and to introduce some Victorian fun traditions to the little
plum teapot which is steeping Charleston Tea Plantation First Flush for
Thanksgiving Day.
Why not seize the
pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish
preparation!
~Jane Austen
~Jane Austen
9 comments:
A very interesting post. I enjoyed reading about the proper way of presenting the nuts and fruit. All the utensils sound interesting and unusual. A Victorian maid really had to know a lot of things!
so quaint! Where is a maid please? Andrea
Martha, I have enjoyed each post on the traveling tea pot. Wonderful job.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Sandy
That's very cute. I wasn't aware of the tradition but it makes sense. Wouldn't this have been the moment that ladies would have withdrawn to the drawing room for a cup of tea and a toddy while the gentlemen drank something stronger, smoked cigars and discussed the business of the day?
That, or I've just been watching too much Downton Abbey :)
Oh, it all just sounds so lovely and the presentation is beautiful!!
Just beautiful and the perfect way to end a celebration. You have had some amazing tea times with that little purple pot. I am thinking you will miss her when you have to send her on her way to the next lucky tea lover.
Mary Jane
I learned something new regarding the informal fruit and nut concluding the Victorian dessert course. It's lovely! Love your vintage equipage.
A Victorian tea for Thanksgiving is so special. I love that you have shared this idea. Fruit and nuts makes such a lovely ending to a special meal. All your accoutrements are just beautiful.
Your table settings are sometimes like a history of Victorian etiquette. Amazing what little "gadgets" they came up with that most of us know nothing about.
Val
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