An epergne is an elaborate table centrepiece consisting of a central bowl or basket raised on a stand, with branching arms supporting smaller dishes, baskets or trumpet-shaped vases. It was designed to hold fruit, sweetmeats, flowers or condiments at the centre of a dining table, allowing guests to help themselves and adding height and spectacle to the table setting.
Epergnes became fashionable in Britain in the eighteenth century, when silversmiths produced magnificent examples in silver and later Sheffield plate, often with pierced baskets, scrolling branches and Rococo or Neoclassical ornament. In the Victorian period the form evolved, and glass epergnes with one or more trumpet vases rising from a central bowl became extremely popular, made in cranberry, vaseline, opalescent and clear glass, sometimes with applied frills and crimped rims or mounted in silver plate. Electroplated versions with cut glass dishes were also common. When buying an epergne, check that all parts are present and matching, as arms, baskets and glass vases were easily broken or replaced. Silver examples should be examined for consistent hallmarks on each component, which helps confirm that the piece is complete and original.
