Lincoln Home

[L Verge]

I minored in French in college, but have forgotten most of what I used to know. However, I think the term "etagere" originally referred to "stages" or maybe "shelves." They are still manufactured today, but in some really wild, modern designs - or even plain old things that look like storage shelves (which they basically are). The more familiar ones today are probably the etageres that are designed to fit over and around the bathroom toilet!

The plate stand that you showed is also properly termed an etagere, but most people just call it a tiered plate stand. It gives height to a buffet table and is mainly used for finger sandwiches, petit fours, today's mini-cupcakes, or candies. When I got married, silver ones were popular wedding gifts. I have even seen instructions for making your own with pretty plates that would otherwise be put in a yard sale.

Y'a gotta love the Victorians and their eternal quest for things and more things. Butter pats (tiny dishes), bone plates, knife rests, salt cellars and salt spoons (in the early years), celery vases, waste bowls, cup plates, biscuit jars, pickle jars, brides' baskets (the latter two in beautiful glass with silver holders and tongs), match safes and glass and china match holders, and the list goes on. Many of these things were present in even middle-class homes; as a family's wealth increased, so did their doodads.