Cutlery is the term used to describe silverware: forks, spoons and knives.

Utensils are any type of tool - in the kitchen, utensils would include measuring spoons, funnels, skewers, spatulas, etc.

Types of Glass Glassware - for the most part, is typically made by placing molten glass into molds. Called pressed glass, much of the glassware used today is made this way. In addition to pressed glass, there are other popular glass types that have been used over the years. The table below lists these types of glass, including cut, colored, Tiffany, and blown glass. eer stein - !lso called a beer mug, beer steins are tall, thick glasses with a handle on one side" not all modern beer steins have a lid like older models randy#Cognac snifter - $nifters are short stemware glasses that feature a wide bottom and a narrower top" the large surface area helps the li%uid evaporate, while the narrow top holds the aroma within the glass Champagne flute - Glass stemware with a tall, narrow bowl" the stem allows the drinker to hold the glass without affecting the temperature of the li%uid inside the glass, and the bowl is designed to hold the carbonation Collins glass - !kin to a highball glass, but narrower and taller" used to serve mi&ed drinks and cocktails

eer $tain

Glassware

randy#Cognac snifter

Champagne flute

Collins glass

NAPKINS
The first napkin was a lump of dough the $partans called 'apomagdalie', a mi&ture cut into small pieces and rolled and kneeded at the table, a custom that led to using sliced bread to wipe the hands. In 'oman anti%uity, napkins known as sudariaand mappae were made in both small and large lengths. The sudarium, (atin for )handkerchief,) was a pocket-si*e fabric earned to blot the brow during meals taken in the warm +editerranean climate. The mappa was a larger cloth spread over the edge of the couch as protection from food taken in a reclining position. The fabric was also used to blot the lips. !lthough each guest supplied his own mappa, on departure mappae were filled with delicacies leftover from the feast, a custom that continues today in restaurant )doggy bags.) In the early +iddle !ges, the napkin disappeared from the table and hands and mouths were wiped on whatever was available, the back of the hand, clothing, or a piece of bread. (ater, a few amenities returned and the table was laid with three cloths appro&imately , to - feet long by . feet wide. The first cloth, called a couch /from 0rench,coucher, meaning )to lie down)1 was laid lengthwise before the master2s place. ! long towel called a surnappe, meaning )on the cloth,) was laid over the couch; this indicated a place setting for an honored guest. The third cloth was a communal napkin that hung like a swag from the edge of the table. !n e&ample can be seen in The (ast $upper by 3ierik outs /4,4.-4,5.1, which hangs in $aint 6eter2s Church, (ouvain, elgium. In the late +iddle !ges the communal napkin was reduced to about the si*e of our average bath towel. The napkin had gone from a cloth laid on the table to a fabric draped over the left arm of a servant. The maitre d2 hotel, the man in charge of feasts, as a symbol of office and rank, draped a napkin from his left shoulder, and servants of lower rank folded napkins lengthwise over their left arms, a custom that continued into the eighteenth century. Today in the 7nited $tates, the napkin is placed on the left of the cover. ut in 8urope, the napkin is often laid to the right of the spoon. The napkin was a part of the ritual at medieval ban%uets. The ewerer, the person in charge of ablutions, carried a towel that the lord and his honored guests used to wipe their hands on. The ayeu& tapestry depicts a ewerer kneeling before the high table with a finger bowl and napkin. The panter carried a portpayne, a napkin folded decoratively to carry the bread and knife used by the lord of the manor, a custom that distinguished his space from those of e&alted guests. The folded napkin was placed on the left side of the place setting" the open end faced the lord. The spoon was wrapped in another napkin, and a third napkin was laid over the first and second napkins. To demonstrate that the water for ablutions was not poisoned, the marshal or the cup bearer kissed the towel on which the lord wiped his hands and draped the towel over the lord2s left shoulder for use.

Table Napkin

The History of Table Skirting The history of table skirts seems to consist of bits and pieces of information as well as a great many educated guesses about the origin of covering the front of a table. $uch seemingly unrelated bits of information, some without documentation, are difficult to call a definitive history, yet evidence of table skirts in the past does indicate that the custom e&isted before the 9:th century. Definition and function

Without much exception, a table skirt in any setting is a fabric or paper drape which covers the front and sides of a table from the surface down nearly to the floor. Occasionally, a skirt covers also the back of the table. A table skirt commonly does not cover the table top which must be draped first with a tablecloth. The skirt is attached to the tablecloth by some temporary means such as Velcro, snaps or basting. The purpose of the skirt is to shield all the legs under the table from view. A table skirt creates an uninterrupted visual impression as well as provides complete modesty for those people seated at the table. Recent history n !"th century history and in !#st century custom, a ban$uet or conference table is nearly always skirted especially if it is on a dais or raised platform. This custom probably grew from the inclusion of women in ceremonial or business occasions. A desire to preserve modesty and aesthetic uniformity made the table skirt a welcome addition to a well%dressed table.

Kinds of table skirts

When the custom of table skirts began, the skirt was always made of fabric. The style of early table skirts is unknown but in !"#", there is no limit to style possibilities. Traditional fabric skirts may be plain, pleated in several ways or shirred. They may be decorated with lace, ribbons and bows or left unadorned. &odern designers have created table skirts in plastic materials, metallics, tissue fabrics, even raffia. t would be possible to find or create a table skirt to lend to any party theme or add to any special occasion.

Table Skirt