The dinner table contains a number of glass collectibles that may not appear on the tables set for other meals. In cases where there are the same vessels, the dinner setting is usually grander or more ornate.
Each place setting will have the usual drinking vessels, although as the meal progresses, more varieties of drinking vessels and serving pieces may appear. Wine glasses, each specific to one kind of wine, make their appearance. Wine decanters, possibly of lead crystal also arrive at table. Water glasses and pitchers may also be made of lead crystal, and all the lead crystal is probably cut to increase the beauty of each piece.
The place settings are probably of china, but special food dishes, such as corn on the cob or asparagus may be eaten from glass dishes made especially for them. Each place may include a glass knife rest, so knives can be placed on these after use to keep them for the next course without staining the tablecloth. Each place may be marked by a name card, and the card holder may well be made of glass.
Salt and pepper again make an appearance in shakers, or open salt dips may be provided for each person. These may be made out of cut lead crystal or glass.
Relish dishes and sauce boats are also seen in cut lead crystal. While the glasses on the table may well be all of one cut pattern, the relish dishes are more likely to vary in cut as they usually are purchased or received as gifts at different times and from different sources. A set of serving vessels of the same cut can certainly be assembled, but it will take time and effort by the collector.
Glass is most likely to be the material of choice in starters and dessert if these are served cold. Shrimp cocktail and ice cream stemmed cups with accompanying plate are usually served in glass. Kept in the refrigerator before serving, the glass body of the dish might hold the cool a little longer than china would due to the heavier construction.
The flower arrangements are probably held by glass vases, and the candles on the table may be in glass candle holders if silver ones are not used.
Dessert may be served using a number of glass dishes to hold mints, bon-bons and other sweet morsels. The desert wine and glasses appear, followed by brandy snifters and a decanter. All sigh with satisfaction and are replete.
Of course, these days few people live this way. But the serving dishes and other glass paraphernalia of the good life are available to the collector, both new and from any of the second hand sources: garage sales, second-hand shops and antique stores. And don’t forget the family attic, basement and under the family beads. Let your interest be known to your family and all kinds of things may make an appearance, to be added to the glass collectibles in your life.
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