No it wasn't primarily a hygeine concern, it was a courtesy as silverware was a huge expense, and dishes served many, guests would often be more plentiful than there was silverware to accommodate everyone, and travel was slow, so very oftwn involved taking rooms in simpler accomodations along the way, where finer dinnerware than a wooden spoon and a carving knife may not have been available. Also the travelling sermt needed washing up, but that you could take care of yourself. The value of your fine travel cutlery would insure you didn't leave it to random service folk. It's a very fine example, but there were simpler sets, with three pieces in slim casings too, so it wasn't a very posh thing, but commonplace even in lower classes when visiting or travelling. The kind of courtesy that never made meals awkward as everyone had the cutlery they were used to and preferred and no room for pieces of fibe silver going missing either 😉
@@gnarbeljo8980 I've seen videos that included showing an example of a (wooden) spoon that would be worn like a necklace pendant to be used for this as well as other tasks. (A spoon necklace today is generally a very different story.)
So good! Iona is a delight! And the editing is perfect- you struck the sweet spot of being entertaining and informative. Love your videos, V&A, keep them coming!
This is a thing that I don't own, but I keep longingly glancing at the cast-aluminum squirrel shaped nutcracker (a functional one) and I just love it so much. By way of things I do own, however, is what is called a "cupcake keeper." a pink tupperware container shaped like a cupcake with swirls of icing, and it is supposed to carry a cupcake. Now, because of that lovely asparagus dish you featured in this video, I think I'll put something savory inside it. :)
I'm a huge fan of modern Norwegian ceramics so I'm going to go with the glogg pot. Spectacular and lovely hand done decoration. Brago and very inspiring!
Before chocolat got popular people ate sweet quince treats but after that the quince sweets lost their appeal and the quince got almost forgotten until recently. Just a little side note. I remember the letters getting picked up 4-5 times a day up until the early 80s in my country. The postbox had a little cylinder inside and when the postman picked the letters up he moved it forward to the next time. Postboxes that were emptied on Sundays had a red spot on them (our postboxes are yellow so the red spot stood out) but they all have disappeared now. No more sunday emptying and they are discussing to not even pick up and deliver letters every day in the future. All went downhill since then.
You got me early in the video. I would love to know more about the pig. How's it made etc. Your energy should increase "likes" and subscribers. You bring the V&A to life. Well done.
Noel (birth date unknown) was an award-winning prop suckling pig who once had pride of place in our galleries. Now he's enjoying well-earned retirement in our stores. He's made of wax, but is a bit sensitive about it. His favourite colour is blue.
If someone fractured my magnificent porcelain chicken ,I would be inconsolable and in dire need of an extra hot chocolate in my gilded chocolate pot. I remember our holiday nut crackers had a swirl on the handles for grip.
I nearly bought a rooster lotion dispenser and I’m now not only mourning the loss of my rooster lotion pump but also what would be a perfect matching chicken soup tureen.
My favorite is the post box tin. Especially the ability to put different coins in different slots. Thanks so much for the informative and hilarious video! Happy Christmas to all of you at the V&A!
I subscribe to a number of YT channels that focus on British history, culture etc. and the content on this one is by far the best. This video was really interesting, aimed at grown-ups and a personable-but-quirky-in-the-best-way presenter made it (even though I disagree with her about the beautiful glog pot!). Thank you and more please.
Happy Happy Christmas from Australia. Iona you are fabulousness itself! I loved your wit and your knowledge. My favourites are the 50’s plate and gravy jug. Can’t remember the designer. Sorry. Today is Gravy Day in Australia named after a famous song by Paul Kelly. A truly authentic Australian Christmas song. Have a listen.Enjoy. Liz
In my home we have what my mom calls a "dinka dinka", it's a little metal tray with a pillar in the middle thag supports a wheel with angels dangling from it, and there are spots for candles around the rim of the tray. the heat of the candles turns some fanblades on top so that the angels fly around and around. we put it on a table at christmas time
For me glogg is more redcurrant and cranberry juice based with christmassy spices. So it is red. The alcoholic versions taste so strong of liqour, so if I have mine, it is either alcohol-free or with red wine. There are maaaaaany different versions, but I think the most sold ones in Finland are redcurrant juice ones and the ready mixed alcohol version too is red.
Thanks Iona for a fun and informative video. Loved the gloves PSA 😊 And "Merry" as an alternative Christmas name? Bloopers and "Home Alone" catchphrase 😂 #BeLikeIona
