1. Victorian Dining & Fine China
By Kathleen Farrell, Slifer House Intern
As very small children, there
were a few tell-tale signs many of us
remember when our parents invited
company or extended family to town.
Perhaps it was the extensive cleaning
of every possible nook and cranny.
Maybe it was the expensive bottles of
wine, or the aroma of the anticipated
dinner that wafted throughout the
house at the crack of dawn and lasted
all day. Yet a staple of formal dinners
is one that often slips our mind amidst
the whirlwind of preparation, remains
in the dusty confines of the elegant
illuminated cabinet in the corner, the
one you are never supposed to touch: the fine china. It is an enigma of sorts, beautiful pieces you
only get to touch on the most important of occasions, always kept to look brand new, no matter
how old it may be.
The use and display of fine china is not solely a staple of our modern and childhood
dinner practice. The rise of fine china took advent in the 19
th
century, originating in Victorian
Britain and making its way to the United States in the late 1890s. In fact, the art and production
of porcelain dates back to 7
th
century China and by the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644
AD) porcelain china had begun being exported to Western Europe. Porcelain was relatively new
to European market and an attraction for wealthy families. It became a status symbol among
many elite and much like today, was used when receiving the most important visitors to one’s
home. Victorian families of social status would have been placed a large importance on the

2. dinner party, as well as etiquette and of
course, their dinnerware. An affluent
family like the Slifer’s would have
entertained often. Because Eli Slifer was
a politician, he would have been meeting
with important guests and colleagues,
and Catherine would have entertained
their wives.
The presentation of the dining space and drawing room would have been imperative in
making a good impression on guests that came to call. The dining table at Slifer House is
arranged in a traditional Victorian fashion, upon a white, typically lace tablecloth. There would
have been a main centerpiece, usually a flower arrangement flanked on either side by a matching
candelabras. Each place setting was equipped with a main dinner plate, and a bone dish above it.
To the left of the bone dish was a smaller plate with a small silver butter knife placed across the
bottom, and to the right of the bone dish was the appropriate place for any necessary glassware
or teacups. To the left of the dinner plate was the meat fork, and to the left of this was the dessert
fork followed by a fish fork. On the right was where the dinner knife would have been placed,
and to right of the knife would be the soup spoon. The napkin would have been placed to the left
of the entire place setting and adorned with unique, napkin rings.
The collection of china on the main dining table at Slifer House is an original Spode
china set, incredibly popular during the early 19
th
and early 20
th
centuries. The company was
founded by Josiah Spode in 1770 and grew in popularity after its merger creating Copeland-
Spode in 1833. Spode began to produce the widely recognized “blue-transfer” printing. This
method, often a signature of fine European and American china, features scenes of delicate
landscapes in deep blues and reds that contrast with the stark white of the china pieces and is

3. usually outlined with twisting vines and floral borders. The featured china set is printed with the
famous “Spode Tower” scene, which derives from a late 18
th
century illustration from Views of
Rome and its Vicinity by James Merigot. Other important dinner pieces are also featured in the
dining room of Slifer House. The mustache cup was a popular teacup of the time that was used to
prevent a gentleman’s fine facial hair from getting wet. It was expected that a man have
sufficient facial hair that was groomed and well kempt at all times. Part of this daily grooming
was the use of Mustache wax, meant to keep one’s upper lip neat and stiff. Hot tea surely would
have compromised one’s waxed mustache, and therefore the mustache teacup was widely used
and presented as part of the tea ceremony if there was a man present.
Slifer House Museum has acquired an interesting and vast collection of chinaware from
the period. Other notable china include, our Burgess Brothers Dinner Service set, the New Warf
Pottery Cobalt Flow Blue dinner set, and our beautiful Czechoslovakian Moritz Zdekauer tea set.
Please consider visiting the museum and experiencing the exquisite collection for yourself.