by George Michael
An epergne is described as a centerpiece which may be used to serve food, as well. The dishes could be used to serve nuts or candies. Most often, a piece like this would be used for decoration alone. The variations of epergnes are endless. One will find them in clear glass, cut class in all sorts of colors and decorations. One of the most interesting is pictured in Ruth Webb Lee's book, Victorian Glass, page 258. It is in milk white with red and blue loopings, produced during the state of Nicholas Lutz at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, c 1870s-80s.
Epergnes were made on both sides of the Atlantic, with perhaps the fanciest coming from France. One will see them made in stages, with several shelves. Others might feature a base which embodies a classic figure with dish and vases resting atop its head. One would expect that flowers might be displayed in them, but, evidently, this is a no-no, as I have never seen one utilized in this manner.
The silver plated brittania metal versions were made by most silver companies - some have sterling as well as gold decoration. I saw one made of gold at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. I do not know the karat weight - it must have been good, since it was made for royalty. Few buy epergnes as they must be used in the proper home setting. 20th century architecture does not lend itself well for these pieces.
The English made epergnes as early as the 1860s in Sheffield plate. Brass versions made their appearance in the Orient in the last century. The makers of carnival glass in this century contributed some colorful versions. Among them is the fishnet epergne made by the Dugan Glass Company which was located in Indiana, Penn. It opened in 1892, but the factory was purchased by Harry Northwood in 1895. The manufacture of carnival glass in England lasted about 5 years. Sowerby, at that time, made the fountain epergne, with glass holders in a sterling frame. The clear glass lilies have twisted bases and the fluted tops are marigold in color. Fenton-Imperial is known to have made a 4 lily epergne, which is quite rare. It is listed in Carnival Glass (Collector Books) at one thousand dollars. The 1870 catalog of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company illustrates several fancy epergnes. Gradually, they went out of favor until the carnival glass period, when they were revived.
Your writer is not a restaurant writer, nor critic, but as restaurants go, one must go to Haussner's in Baltimore. One is not sure if he is in a food emporium or an art gallery. The walls are covered with fine oils from Europe and this country - floor to ceiling. One is able to view a Bierstadt and a Rembrandt on the same walls. Also, standing about, are bronzes and sculptures which add to the total experience. One must not overlook the fine food.
William Henry Haussner was born in Roth, Bavaria, November 1894. He was the grandson to a baroness. With support from his father, he attained his professional goal as a Master Chef. At one time, he worked in a rathskeller, often frequented by the Kaiser. He came to this country to work with a reformed Mennonite family in Peoria, Illinois. A few months later, he joined his brother, Karl in Baltimore - opening his first restaurant on Eastern Avenue in 1926. Ten years later, he expanded into the present location. He married Frances Wilke in 1935 and this partnership made this restaurant one of the most famous in Baltimore. Mrs. Haussner was born in Germany, July 1909; coming to Baltimore in 1924. She learned to pilot her own plane - she became active with the OX5 Aviation Pioneers, Silver Wings and is an associate member of the Early Birds. Mr. Haussner died in 1963.
Mrs. Haussner, inspired by her mother, began to collect art. A wide collection was assembled; much of it so good, that pieces are loaned to museums for exhibitions from time to time. Only about 70% of the works are displayed at any time.
On their 5th anniversary, they acquired their first painting, Venetian Flower, by Eugene de Blaas; from the Red Sox Yawkey family. They bought from the estates of Robert Ripley, Evelyn Walsh McLean, Isaac Loeb Strauss, J. P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt and others. All but two of the paintings were purchased at auction or private sale in the US. The most spectacular acquisition was the mammoth 18,000 sq. ft. panorama, Pantheon de la Guerre, a commemo- rative of the first World War. Most of this painting was donated to the Kansas City Library Memorial Association; some of it remains at the restaurant. Guests are encouraged to walk about and view the art works while waiting for their meals. The restaurant has about 200 employees. The food is great and one could write poetry about the desserts. Haussner's is at 3242 Eastern Avenue - take exit 59 off I-95 - this takes you right to the door. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, at 11 AM and Saturdays, 11 AM - 2 PM. Phone is 410-327-8365.
One of the most beautiful coastal communities in our country is New Bern, N.C. It is an area steeped in history going back to the 18th century. The community became the first State capitol after the revolution. The town was formed by Swiss and German settlers as early as 1710 at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. One can spend several days see- ing the old homes and enjoying out-standing restaurants and shops.
The magnet which attracts most is Tryon Palace. The royal governor lived in it but a short time, as the revolution arrived shortly, and he exiled to a fort in New York. The home was named after its first occupant, Royal Governor William Tryon. He was replaced by Governor Josiah Martin, whose allies met there in 1774 in defiance of the Crown, to elect delegates to the first continental congress. The palace burned in 1798 and was reconstructed in 1950 from the original architectural plans.
It is a magnificent home of brick, restored with English and American antiques of the period; all of superb quality. Its 36 rooms overlook the Trent River. It boasts of 3 foot wide brick walls as well as 24 fireplaces. One notes venetian blinds throughout the home, but the docent informs us that Marco Polo found such window decoration in the Orient in the 13th century. Governor Tryon is known to have imported at least 800 books from England - similar leather bound books of the period have been collected to fill the library. One notes a tall clock by Charles Clay of London dating to 1737. In the dining room, there is a tall clock with London works, in a case which looks much like the work of William Savery of Philadelphia. There are side chairs in the style of William Cham- bers, who had traveled to the Orient early in the 18th century and brought back the ideas for which Thomas Chippendale received credit - as he reproduced them in his cabinetmaker's guide.
There are many fine oils - among them a landscape by Claude Lorraine, with his traditional goat as part of the scene. In the hall is a very early oil of the Frigate America, done in 1760 by Richard Paton. It bears a British flag. The floors are of hard pine, which is abundant in the South. Most interesting is a garniture set of carved stone from the Darbyshire Mines - something one rarely sees in this country.
One may also visit the John Wright Stanley house, in which there are two Portsmouth, N.H. chests; and the George W. Dixon House. The gardens are magnificent. One realizes that two hundred years ago, some of our ancestors lived quite well. Tryon Palace is open Mon-Sat, 9:30am-4pm.