Friday, September 14, 2012

Porte Couteaux

Many of our guests ask about our knife rests that we use at The Brenham House.
 Porte couteau is French for knife rest.
Porte couteaux of French for knife rests.  

  They were created in the late 17 or 18th century.
They were invented to save the knife, fork, and tablecloth from being stained.
Later in the Victorian age the knife rests were made in sets.

Americans today collect different ones to make the table setting interesting.
They are often made of crystal, gold, silver, mother of pearl, and ivory.  You may have seen them while out antique shopping and never knew what they were!
Very handy to save your knife for a second course and to keep the table cloth from being stained!  Great Idea!

No comments: