New Orleans - More Dining and Entertaining

This incredible table service by the esteemed firm Elkington & Co. is undoubtedly the most lavish commission the firm ever created. The service includes all of the table decorations and service items necessary to host a complete formal dinner, including everything from flatware and drinking goblets to elaborate serving dishes and ice buckets. Crafted in 1879-80, the service is housed in a large Gothic-style burled walnut chest with five fitted and felt-lined drawers. Each of the interior doors bears the Elkington royal coronet. The case is completed by four ornate bronze carrying handles. The top of the chest is marked with a brass monogram with the initials “RP,” as is nearly every single item held within the chest’s contents. The set includes stunning table garniture and each of this set’s elaborate serving dishes is reminiscent of the finest epergnes ever made. These items include eight small presentation dishes, four larger dishes, two grand dishes and one ultimate centerpiece that is breathtaking in size and majesty. These objets d’art are further elevated by a gilt and crystal centerpiece made of phenomenal electroplate silver — Elkington’s original and revolutionary process. The largest serving dish measures an impressive 35” wide, and when the collection is assembled on a formal dining table or sideboard, the effect is spectacular. Other items in the set include a pair of etched glass ice buckets with pierced silver-plate strainer inserts, engraved glass and gilt water pitcher, grape shears, delicate claw-shaped tongs and 24 Christofle gilt goblets. The elaborate set is completed by a sterling and bone fish flatware service comprising 18 forks and 18 knives and, finally, a breathtaking 125-piece partially gilt sterling flatware service.The flatware handles are topped with beautiful Minerva figures, and the blades of the knives each bear a different fish species or maritime scene. Every crystal bowl is finely engraved and carefully nestled in the case’s original green baize lining. Elkington & Co. was arguably the most esteemed silver firm in Europe. The celebrated firm patented the first commercial electroplating process and held Royal Warrants for Queen Victoria, King Edward VI...

One of the most important sets that has come to market, this service for 12 is exceptionally special. Crafted by the revered Royal Copenhagen porcelain Manufactory, this 153-piece complete dinner service is in one of the most prestigious porcelain patterns ever produced: the coveted Flora Danica pattern including the rare and desirable fish and fruit service. The oversize 11 ¾” dinner plates are monumental in size, and all of the serving plates are reticulated. Reticulated, or pierced, plates cost roughly 35% more per plate than regular and are quite rare. The twelve reticulated fruit plates included in this service are particularly remarkable. The collection also includes the ice dome, the most coveted object of all of Flora Danica porcelain. Ice domes, both extravagantly intricate and exceptionally costly, typically required a three-year waiting period once ordered. The set also comes with a selection of very large serving platters, tureens and other rare serving dishes. This Flora Danica set is the ultimate service for 12 and among the finest ever crafted by Royal Copenhagen. The set’s aquatic and tropical motifs are almost never seen in even the finest services from the famed firm. The floral motifs are culled from George Christian Oeder's 1771 publication Flora Danica (Flowers of Denmark), an encyclopedia including 3,000 hand-colored copper plate prints depicting every wild plant known to exist in Denmark. A feat of scientific discovery and artistic mastery, Royal Copenhagen's creations are most frequently seen with handpainted botanical motifs. The original creation of the Flora Danica service...

Antique early copper percolator.

Antique French porcelain Veilleuse, Circa 1880-1890

Once an indispensable tool of French haute cuisine, this rare silverplate duck press serves as a symbol of one's mastery of the craft. Used for squeezing th...

This is a fine example of an ancient tool still in use today. The bowl (mortar) is made of hard stone or granite and the pestle is a carved wooden club. T...

The Erté Courvoisier Cognac collection was created by one of the great masters of Art Deco and fashion illustration, Erté (aka Romain de Tirtoff), in collaboration with one of the mo...

This grand silver nef is a spectacular example of Swedish silverwork. It is masterfully crafted, with three masts with billowing etched sails and covered wi...

Rare full set of 12 Estate American Mid-Century Modern "Cambridge, Ohio" hand-molded and hand-finished glass oyster plates, Circa 1950. Cambridge ...

Antique English Victorian Era gong / bell and striker, Circa 1865-1875.

Antique french 19th century copper mold.

Antique English brass hand bell mahogany handle, Circa 1900.