American Dining Table, 1939

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 11

American Dining Table, 1939

CHlCAGO—Whether it is a sign of prosperity or just a style trend, the American home in any case is going is for more silverware on the dining room table.

When the bride and groom to-day pick out their silver, they are not satisfied with the old traditional set-up of knife, fork, teaspoogi, and perhaps soup spoon. They want butter spreaders, salad forks, long iced-drink spoons, and even oyster forks, several of the leading manufacturers of silverware reported at the recent china, pottery, glass, and gift show at the Merchandise Mart here recently. Some three years ago only seven per cent of the sets of silver purchased contained more than 50 pieces of silver. To-day the percentage has jumped to 67, one of the outstanding manufactures , reported. The teaspoon particularly has taken a .big jump.

That viande silver knife which first made its debut in 1929 is one of the biggest sellers to-day. Its short blade and long handle has proved to be more convenient and acceptable to the American housewife than the old-timo long blade and short handle, manufacturers agree. Restaurants like them better, too, it is claimed. For, with tho «hort blade which is made of stainless steel, they have “fewer tough steaks coming back to the kitchen.” Sixty per cent of all silver table knives "old, it is estimated, are now chosen in short blades and long handes.

The silver makers and chinawaro ‘ manufacturers follow along together in the style trends, it is found. The china | people, for instance, do not make as many flat soup plates as they do the cup » type. These require what is called tho cream soup spoon. About 50 per cent of the silver sets made to-day includo this spoon. In the many new pieces of glassware which were displayed at tho Chicago ; show, the trend toward Swedish modern was quite noticeable. Many pat- j terns in glassware had their origin in ' Sweden but have been simplified for American use. Swirl optic and clear rock crystal were frequently shown. Floral designs on glassware have been replaced by etchings of samplers stagecoach, and colonial scenes. The lovely Czecho-Slovakian crystal lamps and gifts which usually add such brilliance to gift shows, were not so abundant this season because of changing import conditions. English earthenware lamps, colonial brass lamps, wood base lamps, and French china lamps were more in evidence. t Many of the little mantel pieces, interesting figurines, vases, powder boxes, and other porcelain ornaments, formerly brought in from Germany, were this time largely imported from Portugal. A new industry has sprung up in Hawaii, or at least for the first time has sent its products to gift shows in the United States. Natives have become very adept at carving from the koa wood and monkey pod trees, bowls and graceful receptacles in the form of deep tropical leaves, tropical fish, and other artistic shapes used for salads or nuts in this country. The coloured and deep-toned pottery which has been increasing in popularity is still being shown by many exhibitors. One of the newest style notes observed was the introduction of more pastel shades in dinnerware. “The whole year through, my wife spends only about a fortnight at home.” “That’s pretty rotten for you.” “Oh, a fortnight soon passes.”