American Table Service of 1931

This setting is with a flatware style known as “Grille”, “Viande” and “Vogue.” The knife is about 2/3 handle and 1/3 blade, as opposed to the normal 1/2 handle with 1/2 blade. The handle of the fork is nearly 3/4 of the fork with the bowl and tines 1/4. This “modern” style of flatware was introduced first to the public in 1927. According to a 2003 article by William P. Hood of Magazine Antiques, “The story begins in 1927 or 1928, when nine architects were invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to design thirteen room settings for The Architect and the Industrial Arts, its eleventh exhibition of contemporary American design. The organizers requested that all furnishings and accessories for a room be included, and they stipulated that no object to be displayed could already be in production.” The new flatware designed was sleek with patterns reminiscent of the skyscrapers dotting the skylines of modern cities. Several different American flatware companies produced the knives, forks and spoons. “The dinner knife executed by International Silver, for example, was 9 1/4 inches long, with its handle measuring about 6 inches. The handle of its dinner fork was about average (approximately 5 inches), but the functional end was shorter than usual, to match the abbreviated knife blade. The idea for the new style of table knife came from the perception that it is uncomfortable for the extended index finger to press against the narrow back (or ‘top’) of the blade when one cuts with' a conventional knife.” By 1930, the new style of flatware was available to the public, but its popularity only lasted about 25 to 30 years. The flatware shown in the setting above is the 1940 “Treasure” pattern, by Wm. Rogers.

 

1931 Standard Rules of Etiquette

Question: What is the proper table service? 

Answer: 

• On the table itself, before the guests are seated, should be the plates and glasses for each place with the glasses on the right. 

• Bread and butter plates with a small butter-knife on each are placed a little beyond and to the left of the main plate. 

• The knife, or knives, should be on the right and on the left are the forks. 

• If soup is to be served the spoon should be placed on the left with the knives. 

• Napkins are folded and placed upon the plate. 

• As for salt and pepper, they may be placed at the two corners of a small table, or at the four comers on a medium sized table or between every two places if the table is large. 

• Dishes of nuts are often found on the table, and in the small house informal meals will find condiments and appetizers on the table, although at a formal affair they will be passed by a servant. 

–Imperial Valley Press, 1931

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

Table Set for New Year’s 1930

  

Early Depression Era Entertaining Crafts and Place Setting ~ Not only was this dinner party thrown in the early days of America’s Great Depression, but it was held during Prohibition in the U.S., as well. As, presumably, no wines would be served at this multi-course dinner, the water goblet is the lone glass at the setting.– The snow man was made by taking a cardboard cone standing 15 inches high. He was padded with cotton. Over this was put well crushed and crinkled white crepe paper. Bulges were made for arms, tucked apparently into overcoat pockets for warmth.

SNOWY WHITE AND BLUE SHADOWS ARE ON TABLE

One of the prettiest tables Nancy had seen in a long time was the New Year’s table at the Jack Pettingills’ home. The cloth was white damask. In the center was a large snow man in white. His features were back but his hat was deep blue. He held a bouquet of freesia and laurel in the crook of his arm. Leading from his snow overcoat were ribbons of blue. They extended to the place cards and favors combined, snowballs of white crumpled crepe paper.

The goblets were of deep blue glass. The condiment dishes were of pewter. The whole effect was of white snow with its blue shadows and its wintry gleam under the frosty moonlight. Near the snow man's abiding place were flecks of artificial snow. Flakes of it were on his coat and hat. The wall sconces of pewter gleamed in the candlelight. Pure white candles were in deep blue candle holders.

The snow man was made by taking a cardboard cone standing 15 inches high. He was padded with cotton. Over this was put well crushed and crinkled white crepe paper. Bulges were made for arms, tucked apparently into overcoat pockets for warmth.

The buttons of the coat were of black crepe paper. Small wads of this same paper made his features. He smirked over his necktie of broad blue ribbon. The head had to be stuffed like a ball and extended beyond the apex of the foundation cone. The bow the was placed about two inches below the peak, thus giving the effect of a slender neck. – By Florence La Ganke, aka “Nancy Page, 1930

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