[Sca-cooks] trenchers

[Terry Decker]

Porcelain became available as an Asian import in the 16th Century.  European 
porcelain manufacture began around 1575, but it wasn't perfected until the 
17th Century.  One also needs to consider glass and very delicate stoneware 
as a stop gap between bread and porcelain.  I'm also certain that there was 
overlap between fashions.

Precious metals in plates were used all through period, but I think you will 
find they were more widely used in Southern Europe, where bread trenchers 
appear to be of limited use or non-existent.  Metal and wood were probably 
also used for dishes carried in one's baggage, as witness a painting of John 
of Gaunt at table.  Some manor accounts show an annual or semi-annual 
purchase of stoneware, largely mugs and bowls, to replace broken dishes.

Bear

> Terry Decker wrote:
>
>> There are some German woodcuts that show multiple trencher slices 
>> stacked. Wealth households appear to have used them with regularity.  The 
>> less wealthy used them for special occasions and in single slices, as 
>> noted in Menagier's instructions for a wedding feast.  The middle class 
>> and poor made do with metal, ceramics and wood.
>
>
> I have heard this before, and it amazes me. When did precious metals and 
> fine porcelain start being used in table service? (or restart, as the case 
> may be)
>
> Aoghann