Have you ever seen something like this? Maybe in an antique store, or maybe in a china cabinet of someone's home? This is called an epergne, and it was very popular during the Victorian era. It's strangely fancy, but what was it for?
They first appeared around the 17th century. The name originates from the French noun épargne, meaning “savings”, as it ‘economised’ space on the dinner table by regrouping several hors d’oeuvres and decorations into one apparatus. Meaning: its centre bowl could bear fruit, while its arms tentacled out with mini vases of flowers, candles, sweets, and whatever your heart desired. That’s the classic blueprint, at least, as they’ve varied throughout the years. You know an epergne when you see one, though. Trust us.
See a wide variety of epergne designs at Messy Messy Chic. Whether they deserve a comeback is a matter of opinion, and I would say, no thanks.
I learned early on that centerpieces make it hard for people to see each other across the table.