Fascinating Details of an Astor Ball

A gilded age depiction of the fickle and oft-engaged, but only once married, Miss Van Alen. She was great granddaughter to Caroline Astor

NEW YORK, Jan. 18.-Mrs. Astor gave a ball last night and when Mrs. Astor gives a ball, society has something to talk about. In view of the splendor of the house the floral decorations were comparatively simple.

Scarcely more than the usual number of palms lined the foyers and tall vases filled with American beauty roses in the drawing rooms and clusters of orchids on the supper tables were the principal flowers used.

The guest of honor was Miss Van Alen, the eldest daughter of James J. Van Alen and a great granddaughter of the hostess. This is the second grand ball given by Mrs. Astor in honor of her young kinswoman. 

Another guest, who practically shared honors with Miss Van Alen was Mrs. George Haig of England, formerly Mrs. J. Coleman Brayton, the favorite daughter of Mrs. Astor, and who, to gether with Mr. Haig, will sail for England on Wednesday.

Nearly all the guests came from the opera, so that it was well on toward midnight when the carriages began to roll up to Mrs. Astor's door. The picture galleries of Mrs. Astor's house and John Jacob Astor's house, which are also the ballrooms, were thrown into one.

Supper was served at sixty tables in the dining room. Mrs Astor presided at a large table of ten of her intimates and Mrs. John Jacob Astor at another of twelve. The remaining tables were smaller. 

When the company returned to the ballroom a litttle before 2 o'clock this morning, it was bordered with gilded chairs for the cotillion which began at once. Elisha Dyer, Jr., was the leader, with Mrs. John Jacob Astor for a partner. But so vast was the assemblage that Craig Wadsworth was requested to lead at the old end of the double ball room. He danced with Mrs. Orme Wilson.— The Associated Press,1898 

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

Gilded-Age Tablescape Etiquette

Victorian, gilded-age hostess would undoubtedly have these ingenious sets on hand for entertaining any tremble-prone guests. Specifically designed for a person who suffered from “the trembles,” trembleuse cups and saucers were “spillproof” combinations. Created to avoid spillage of hot liquids by a trembling hand, the deep inset of the saucer in which the cup firmly rests and the saucer’s very wide border, work beautifully together for this antique, Dresden china trembleuse set.

A Table Decoration

A very beautiful table decoration was seen at a dinner party given last week by a hostess noted for her taste and originality. The cloth, which was of the finest damask, displayed a design of ferns, the center figure being an exquisitely drawn wreath of fern fronds, while the border was formed by sprays of the most delicate maiden-hair variety, had been ordered of a great linen house in Belfast; with special reference to the decoration of living ferns, intended to be used for a “summer dinner party.” 

The table was circular, and in the middle stood one of the giant tulip vases now so fashionable. This graceful receptacle was filled with the loveliest and rarest specimens ot ferns, the spreading, feathery fronds reaching far over the heads of the assembled company, and forming, as it were, a vacant tent through whose interstices shone the electric lights of the chandelier. No candles, no flowers were used, but each sliver dish was surrounded by a wreath of ferns, which kept perfectly fresh during the serving of the course. All the crystal ware was exquisitely engraved with ferns, while the Dresden china service gave the one touch of warmth and color with its pure rose and gold tints. An ideal July dinner decoration was the universal comment, and far more effective than the elaborated floral banquets which have prevailed duriug the past season. —Boston Herald, 1891

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