Celery on Gilded Age Tables

Celery vases in silver and glass, or just glass, were popular for only about 20 years, from the 1860’s to 1880’s, then they vanished from most tables, only to be replaced by cut glass, low dishes. By 1892, they were no longer considered special enough to have their own special presentation receptacles. 

The problem of how to serve celery has been solved, at least temporarily, in the prevailing fashion of laying two or three choice stalks at the side of each plate. Nobody regretted the retirement of the tall celery vases, but the flat dishes were about equally awkward and inconvenient. The present idea is sensible and satisfactory and should be preserved. — The New York Times, 1892

                                              

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