Using Crescent Plates Properly

Originally, crescent side plates at place settings were for depositing bones or other indigestibles from one’s meal in the U.S. and for eating one’s salad from in Great Britain. They came in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the manufacturer and design. Salad plates were larger. Bone plates were smaller.

The crescent plate may be used as a salad plate with the roast course. It was used in this manner at Queen Elizabeth's coronation dinner. 

“Many hostesses who have inherited lovely old French or English china services with the crescent salad plate, are now proudly using them. The crescent plate may be used as a bread and butter plate, as in photo #2, whenever one would be needed or, more formally, as a salad plate with the roast course. It was used in this manner at Queen Elizabeth's coronation dinner. See photo #1.”

The crescent plate may be used as a bread and butter plate, as in photo #2, whenever one would be needed.

 —From "Setting Your Table... Its Art, Etiquette and Service," by Helen Sprackling, 1960

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