Fruit Bowl

Maker: French
Material: Porcelain (Old Paris)
Date: ca. 1840
Size: H. 6”

2014.05.47 EL The Mr. and Mrs. Franck Kaiser, Sr. Collection

Elegant multi-piece sets of French china were augmented with elaborate service pieces such as this fruit bowl. Pieces such as this one were used towards the end of the meal, after the table had been cleared and once the dessert/fruit course had been set. The most unusual feature of this bowl is that it contains a reservoir to catch water from chipped ice laid upon the fruit in an effort to keep the fruit cool.