Flatware and...

[helwen]

I was checking out CostPlus World Market (got there from a site on Free Trade goods), and found some flatware I thought would be acceptable for SCA use. Not perfect, but the handles are straight, not flared out, and a lot of extant pieces have a knob, curl, or some sort of thing on the end. The spoons don't have the typical pear shape, but overall I think they'll do. Plus they're metal, as opposed to our current wood ones, so more appropriate for nobility. The knives are also decent. What also appealed to me is that while you have to buy them in sets of 4 pieces, it's by the _type_ of piece, not a whole 'set'. So, 4 forks, 4 spoons, etc. I ordered spoons and knives, as we've decided to try not to use forks so much. Yesterday at the event I noticed that I mostly used my fork to get the food from the serving dish onto my plate, so I suppose it won't be too difficult a transition. I ordered two sets of each, in case we might give some out as gifts or prizes.

You can see them here: http://www.worldmarket.com/kitchen-tabletop/flatware/Mercury-Flatware-Collection/lev/4/productId/3866/Ne/1100001/Ns/NEW_ARRIVAL_FLAG%7c1%7c%7cCATEGORY_SEQ_2983%7c0/N/1100140/Nty/1/view/10000/index.pro

Also, I spoke with our seneschal and some others about service and appearance and such, and they've agreed to try out having the servers all wear a long white napkin over the shoulder.

I think laver bowls would be cool too, but right now I can't think about it, with Ashfield Fall Festival less than a week away. So, perhaps not this winter, but in the future? I was reading something somewhere (forgot to note it) about how they washed both before and after the meal, which I don't think I've seen at events yet, just the washing before. Has anyone seen this happen?

More later. Off to watch Inspector Lynley!

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Oddly, the service you chose is our every day modern service. We are very happy with it, it is comfortable to use.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Good to know they're comfortable to use. And funny that you already have them :) I expect we'll get repros some day, but as my current goal is to show examples of affordable feastware that are reasonable in appearance, these should work well -- generally as people become more acclimated to being in the SCA, they start spending more on the accoutrements of daily life, and often purchase dishes and flatware that are a rather poor fit. Bergenthalers are increasingly more and more interested in having the right look in many areas of medieval life, so I'm hoping to take advantage of that increased interest -- and of course we all go to events held by other groups...

Which reminds me, I should check into proper feastgear for Vikings, as Magnus is constantly working on improving his kit. He knows about jellingdragon of course, but there may be other resources.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

there is also the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the Jorvik Centre has some lovely things online.
Also aim him at http://www.historiska.se/


There are some utensils out there, I believe most are Roman patterns. There isnt a lot of information about dining habits, though I have some suspicions.

It can be tough to convince people not to invest til they are more alert to the things that will suit well, but so long as one only buys things one truly likes, it all works out.

Viking info

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!