[Sca-cooks] recommended exhibit - Die offentliche Tafel

[Cindy M. Renfrow]

Hello!  I recently saw this exhibit in Berlin, Germany. For those of you in
the area, it is well worth a visit. You will see original copies of
cookbooks by Scappi, Rumpolt, & more, as well as artifacts, paintings,
original copies of many well-known woodcuts, etc.  Entrance is free.  Most
of the exhibit is in German, but some captions are also in English.

http://www.dhm.de/ENGLISH/ausstellungen/
Die öffentliche Tafel - Tafelzeremoniell in Europa 1300-1900.

DINING IN PUBLIC
European Banquet Ceremony 1300-1900

Deutsches Historisches Museum, Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin
The exhibit is in the DHM's temporary facility, the Kronprinzenpalais,
diagonally across the street from the Beriner Dom and Museum Island.

29 November 2002 to 11 March 2003

"From the late Middle Ages to the 19th century all the European royal
houses kept a tradition of holding a public meal for the ruler in the
presence of the court according to a rigid order of ceremony. This was a
symbolic act of political identification, which can be interpreted as a
secular form of communion. This act of state has been largely ignored by
historical and cultural accounts, but has left a wealth of impressive
pictorial evidence and splendid artefacts. The rich silver collection of
the Danish royal family, which has survived the ages unscathed, is a fine
example to illustrate the European "custom of the public table"."

A richly illustrated catalog in German is available for 25 Euros. Contact
webadmin at dhm.de for details.

Regards,
Cindy