Manners
Dos and Don’ts in Photos
Do use your best tableware for special occasions
The Danish Royal Family celebrated Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee with a surprise private dinner on Friday, 14 January 2022. The dinner service was the Flora Danica, which is the finest Danish tableware, dating back to the late 18th century.Above, from left clockwise, we recognize Prince Vincent, Prince Nikolai, Prince Christian, Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, Princess Marie, Princess Isabella, Prince Felix, Princess Benedikte, Prince Joachim, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Henrik, Princess Josephine and Princess Athena.
Today, when parents or grandparents die, often children give away or sell their fine family china or crystal glasses at estate sales. They say that it is too formal, and fine china no longer fits their casual lifestyle. This trend toward casual living is replacing the good dining customs born from Christian Civilization.
A well-set table not only inspires a noble behavior at the table, but also stimulates more elevated conversation and a warm family convivium. The effort it demands is well repaid by the appreciation of the beauty and refinement that it nurtures in those present.
While few can compete with the exquisite royal pattern of the Danish Crown, its refinement stands as a model that we should imitate in proportion to our means. We should make an effort to acquire or maintain good quality china, glassware and silverware, and use them to create beautiful tables settings for our family celebrations.
Do use your best tableware for special occasions.
Elaine Jordan
Fine pieces from the Flora Danica dinner service. The design features hand-painted life-sized plants that are found in Denmark, taken from the Flora Danica, a special reference book compiled by botanist Georg Christian Oeder in 1752. The Flora Danica china set originally consisted of 1,800 pieces, but only 1,500 of this priceless dinner service still remain.
Photos: Point de Vue, November 24-30, 2021
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