The term cabaret service (also known as dejeuner service[1]) is used to designate small tea or coffee services. A typical cabaret service includes (in addition to cups and saucers[1]) a teapot or a coffeepot (with a lid and occasionally a stand[2]), a sugar bowl, a creamer, sometimes a tray[3][4] and cutlery.[5] In the 18th century a spoon boat was frequently a part of the set.[6] The tea- and coffeepots are small (one pint in a service for two, so called tête-à-tête, half a pint in a solitaire service for one),[3] the cups and saucers are frequently also smaller than the ones in the regular sets.[1] Tête-à-tête services were popular as wedding gifts.

Cabaret service (ca. 1865)

The cabaret services originated in France, where the tea drinking was not ritualized, and thus small-scale arrangements for one or two were appropriate.[7] The cabaret services characteristically utilized unusual designs and extensive decorations,[4] this "jewel-like" appearance hints at marketing oriented towards ladies.[7]

In the 18th century silver (gilded) cabaret services with fitting cases were made for travel.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Edwards 2017, p. 188.
  2. ^ Edwards 2022, p. 71.
  3. ^ a b MFA, Boston. "Five-piece coffee and tea set for one". mfa.org. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b Edwards 2017, p. 269.
  5. ^ a b Boger & Boger 1957.
  6. ^ George Savage; Harold Newman (1985). "spoon-tray". In John Patrick Cushion (ed.). An Illustrated Dictionary of Ceramics: Defining 3,054 Terms Relating to Wares, Materials, Processes, Styles, Patterns, and Shapes from Antiquity to the Present Day. Thames and Hudson. p. 270. ISBN 978-0-500-27380-7. OCLC 12938517.
  7. ^ a b Hildyard 1999, p. 69.

Sources

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