The museum holds many examples of the correct and appropriate utensils designed for use on the table particularly in Victorian times. It seems that those ingenious Victorians imagined, manufactured and used a wide variety of
Our Treasures: Dining table etiquette on display at Whangārei Museum
The pair of cut glass knife rests in the museum donated by J.W. Field in 1969. Photo / Supplied
The styles became more elaborate and there were a wide variety of materials used including silver, ebony, ivory, metal combinations, pewter, porcelain, horn and combinations of silver and glass and silver and ivory to name just a few.
The museum holds a pair of cut glass rests (see photo) in the bar bell style donated by J.W. Field in 1969.
A very popular style was the jack, a circular ball, usually of silver plate with six arms, each arm with a smaller silver ball on the ends. The arms measuring approximately five centimetres in length.
In the 1900s styles became even more diverse and boxed sets for individual use were common. A boxed pair in silver made a useful wedding present.
Rests were in use throughout Europe and America and are still being produced today particularly in America, usually as an addition to a dinner set or canteen of cutlery. It is interesting to note that the Chinese use rests for their chopsticks, a practice going back centuries.
Gradually the general use of rests has declined as meat was no longer carved at table except on special occasions and place mats have replaced tablecloths in many instances.
Rests can be now be found in Antique and Collectible shops with prices ranging from a few dollars through to several hundred especially for boxed sets. For those just beginning their antique collecting hobby, rests make the ideal place to start a collection.
• Alison Sofield is a volunteer with Whangārei Museum at Kiwi North.