The origins of the finger bowl go back to the time when people ate their meals largely with their fingers. In the past, a diner might dip his napkin into the finger-bowl and wipe his mouth and chin, or even rinse his mouth with the water from the finger-bowl and then spit into it. This was very definitely before my time! Today, a finger-bowl is used for fingertips only, which are then dried daintily with the napkin on one's lap.
Finger-bowls are particularly welcome if whole artichokes, shellfish or asparagus (in Europe they are picked up and eaten with your hands) is on the menu. At very formal dinners, they are brought in on the dessert plates (usually on top of a lace doily) with the dessert spoons and forks. When the finger bowl arrives, the guest should dip fingertips in the finger bowl, one hand at a time, wipe them on his or her napkin, and then remove the finger bowl and doily to the upper left side of the place setting. Then take the silver pieces and place them on either side of the plate -- fork on the left, spoon on the right. The large plate is now ready for dessert. Alternatively, if the finger bowl is just brought on top of a decorative or silver plate,with no utensils, and there is someone serving the table, usually a la russe, leave it in front of you after you finish dipping and drying your fingers. It will then be removed by the server and the dessert plate and utensils placed in front of you . This was the way it was done in my home, but nowadays, chances are the former is the way to go. Just watch the hostess, if in doubt.
Finger- bowls come in all manners:
In silver
in pewter
crystal
in pretty colors
with lime slices
or rose petals
Doilies for Finger Bowls
Battenberg Lace
Cambridge Lace
Cotton Lace Crochet
My favorite
Never, never, never use paper lace doilies!!!
And here's an interesting article from the New York Times, published many moons ago!
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9A01EFD7173EE033A25753C3A9639C946897D6CF
Lovely article on etiquette and different types of finger bowls. It's nice to have a finger bowl after eating Indian food in restaurants. I have some lovely stainless steel bowls but never use them. I am ashamed to say that at home we only use wet wipes...
ReplyDeleteFinger bowls: oh my goodness, I didn't know anyone else even knew, or remembered, what they are! My grandmothers, and great grandmother (!) always had the very delicate glass kind, and always a small ceramic flower floating...or maybe a pansy in the spring. And yes, a linen doily always. Loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful collection. Does anyone use them these days? I wonder.
ReplyDeletePrincess, yes they are very practical with after anything eaten with you fingers, especially fried chicken!
ReplyDeleteLibby & Joan, I have some and use them, particularly after artichokes, ribs, etc.I also have the doilies which I got at an antique market. Always looking for a chance to use them, it surprises everyone when they show up!
I have a set of gorgeous cut crystal finger bowls and saucers that I bought at a tag sale for a song years ago. We do, on occasion, use them for their original purpose. We also use them to serve ice cream or berries at dinner parties!
ReplyDelete