Royal Pineapple Etiquette

This magnificent work of art is part of a set of four: “A set of four silver-gilt dessert stands, each comprising a pierced dish with palmette border, supported in a pineapple leaf bracket above six scroll branches with vine leaf dishes. The stem is cast in the form of an amphora, flat chased with angels and scrolling foliage, on a spirally fluted drum, surrounded by cast figures of Bacchus and two dancing maenads. On a circular base with scroll feet and acanthus leaves.

“These stands were described in the Rundells' invoice of 1811 as '4 very superb and elegant Ornaments for the Desert consisting of Groups of figures to receive Pine apples', although at that date they were not completed. The various elements were probably assembled over the next few years - they were finally delivered to Carlton House in 1817, with the branches arriving two years later. It is likely that the figures were designed by Flaxman. The final bill for the dessert stands has not been traced but later inventories state that they cost £1538 11s 8d.

“The Grand Service is the magnificent dining service of silver gilt commissioned by George IV, when Prince of Wales, from the Royal Goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. The initial commission was made in 1806 and the first delivery took place in 1811.” For more on these fabulous and exceptional works, see the website for the Royal Collection Trust

Pineapples make a particularly decorative feature with their hint of the exotic. At the Palace, they have always played a large part in the dessert course. Charles II is depicted in a painting receiving a pineapple from one of his gardeners. For a time this painting was thought to represent the first pineapple grown in England, but in fact it is too early for this to be the case. The fruit must instead have come from the West Indies.

John Evelyn, who waited on the King at a banquet held for the French Ambassador in 1668, recorded in his diary that the King offered him a taste of a pineapple from his own plate. Evelyn was rather disappointed with the taste, saying 'It has a grateful acidity but tastes more of the quince or the melon. He excused its flavour, attributing it to the distance the fruit had travelled. Pineapples are represented in the silver and porcelain services created for George IV and William IV respectively.

George IV's coronation banquet, held in Westminster Hall, London, also featured pineapples. The menu of the third course of the dinner shows that the pineapple was placed directly in front of the King during the meal. The Earl of Denbigh, who waited on him, records in his description of the banquet that 'Lord Colchester was my assistant carver and cut up a pineapple weighing 11 pounds.' — From “The Royal Table: Dining at the Palace,” by Kathryn Jones, 2008

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia