French silverware speaks of the importance that the French put on food and meal- time. The French have a fork, knife, spoon for every food under heaven. They also have one for every sauce, and believe me they love their sauces. To which my thighs cry AMEN!
Since we are an American-Franco family some of my silverware is from America. The innocent pair come to the table, an American fruit knife (1920s) and dessert fork (1940s.)
Unlike dinner knives and forks, the fruit knife has a sharp blade with a point on the end for stabbing fruit after it has been cut. The dessert fork has a fancy prong "do." Often the tip is curled-in to aid with slicing into a cake bite.
The fruit knife and dessert fork are much smaller than the dinnerware knife and fork.
The French place the silverware upside down on the family table, well that is in comparison to the American style of setting a table. The monograms on French silver are on the backside. Note the photo of the same service (1880): The fork’s front side is bare, and the back side is elaborate.
Though at restauants the French place the silverware right side up. I am sure my dear friend Marie Noelle is going to tell me why (look for her comment below.)
The French have two sizes of spoons for coffee. A tiny one for espresso and a larger one for cafe au lait. The larger spoon can be used for tea, hot chocolate, eating cereal and yogurt (… ) that tiny espresso spoon has a singular role, certainly it feels smug adorning those cute little expresso cups!
(Photo French tea and coffee cups. Hand painted 1920s)
The table fork goes onthe left side of the plate. The table knife goes on the right, with its blade facing towards the plate. The table soup spoon (which looks like a serving spoon) goes by the table knife. The dessert spoon and cheese knife go on top.
The first time I came to France and had a meal at French husband’s parents home I went as stiff as the silverware in front of me. The array of silverware overwhelmed me. I sat the entire lunch (five hours) mimicing French husband’s Father. Whatever fork, knife or spoon he grabbed I followed suit. I don’t remember a thing I ate, but I thank God for French husband’s Father’s impeccable manners.
Another view of a French table setting line up. As you can see I have mix and match silverware. It makes collecting easier and fun. Find a pretty fork at the flea market, inexpensive since it is on its own. Buy it polish it… Instant success! It adds to the collection and shakes up the snobby line up.
And by the way the French eat Pizza with a fork and knife. Tres Elegant.
Photos: Vintage French silverware.
Leave a Reply