The book "Manners and tone of a good society" of 1879 was a fundamental "guidebook" in Victorian cuisine. It described how it was necessary to behave at the table in the Victorian era, and how to handle the many cutlery and dishes of that time.
For example, touching food with bare hands was unacceptable behavior. Thus, everyone had to learn to recognize the various devices that the table was served, as well as to know how to use them. And it was an extremely difficult occupation.1. Tongs for sugar
In Victorian England, Sugar was mainly sold in grocery shops in the form of "sugar heads". Usually in rich families, only the hostess of the house "bonus from the sugar head" pieces suitable for a feast, with the help of special bodies. A similar privilege was invented not by chance, as sugar was very expensive and stored under the lock. Sugar tweezers with something like bodies, only with flat ends, which were comfortable to "pinch off" sachara pieces. Most often, they were made of steel, but decorative and expensive tongs were made of silver, decorating them with faded engraving.
2. Forks for snails
In Victorian England, representatives of the lower classes regularly used snails. They even called "the people" "wall-mounted fish" and were served in pubs as a snack. Thus, the snails ate not only to know the French, as most people think today. The snail was usually kept in one hand with a napkin (or without it), and the meat of the sink was smelted by a special two-consue fork, which was kept in the other hand. In Victorian times, believed that the meat of snails could cure tuberculosis (which was then very common), and if there is it only raw.
3. Spoon for bone marrow
In the Victorian society, it was considered a movetone to suck the brain from the bones (and meat dishes were then served very often). Therefore, the primary British, who were not indifferent to this delicacy, invented a special spoon to scrape the bone marrow from the bones, not insulting the host of the hosts in the inappropriate sounds. Such cutlery existed from the mid-1700s (to the Victorian era), but then they had a longer and narrower form.
4. Heaters for spoons
Houses in the Victorian era were heated only with the help of fireplaces in each room, but the kitchen was often at some distance from the dining room, and while the dishes came to the table, the plates were already cooled (and, accordingly, food cooled faster, even before the dinner began). To avoid this problem, the Victorians invented heaters for cutlery. In a special vessel on the legs poured hot water, and spoons with forks inserted into the hole on it. Warm spoons at least saved with eating cooled dishes.
Today, such utensils can be found very rarely, but in the collections there are amazing "heaters" in the form of sinks of snails sitting on stones, eggs on legs, frogs and fish with open mouths, helmets or hunting horns. Over time, at home began to go better, and such devices came out of fashion. But they remain a delightful reminder of Victorian creativity concerning eating etiquette.
5. Spoons for welding
In the 1760s, brewing spoons were created as a unique and beautiful accessory for making tea in Europe and America. Tea leaves were stored in special boxes designed to always be fresh and in the "market form". They were often stored on the key, as tea was expensive and valuable goods. Also invented special spoons that were convenient for measuring the portion of tea leaves from the box.
Victorian silver business masters made these spoons in the form of shells, blades or buckets. In the 20th century, these accessories began to decorate ornaments or names where they were produced. One of the most valuable similar spoons for welding with a handle inlaid by semi-precious stones was sold at auction in 1931 by more than 2,000 pounds.
6. Scraze forceps
Asparagus appeared in England in the XVI century, but only in the XVIII century it became a fashionable and exotic addition to dishes. Since Asparagus became the top of elegance and refinement at the table, it is not surprising that special silver tongs came up for her. A similar elegant cutlery can be found in the kitchen and so on.
7. Support for knife
During dinner in the era of Queen Victoria could change to 12 different dishes. The knife stand was used in order not to blur the tablecloth in the interval between the dishes. The first such stand appeared during the times of Heinrich VIII and was made of wood. But since the Victorians always loved to do everything courses and refined, similar accessories began to do from all kinds of metals, as well as from crystals, glasses, ceramics, pearl, ivory and shells.
8. Grape scissors
These scissors were often decorated with threads in the form of grape vines and plant ornaments, since they were used to cut grapes with the brush during the dessert. In the Victorian society, only in very rare cases, dining etiquette allowed the use of hands at the table - for example, when drinking fruits or bread. Subsequently came up with a special form of scissors - with extended handles and short blades, so that the grape lover could easily reach the desired berries. And the stupid ends prevented the breakdown of grapes. Similar scissors were made of silver.
9. Spoon for cold
The Victorians simply adored the chore, and on their tables it was possible to meet a jelly with meat or fish. Also, jelly prevented damage to meat, preventing his contact with air and any bacteria. It was perfect for Victorians who have not yet invented refrigerators. A spoon for a chill was distinguished by one pointed side so that it was more convenient to get very tasty pieces.
10. Scoop and tray for crumbs
Victorians were purely and accurers, so they believed that there was nothing worse than crumbs on the tablecloth after meals. Therefore, in the 1850s, a special blade was invented, which the servants cleaned the tablecloth from any crumbs and pieces of food. They usually have been made of silver and could be decorated with engravings or floral ornaments. The handle of such a scoop was made of ivory, pearl or wood.