He entered eagerly into the canvass of the distinctions and celebrities asked to meet him at the reception made for him, but he had even a greater pleasure in compassionating his host for the vast disparity between the caterer's china and plated ware and the simplicities and humilities of the home of virtuous poverty; and he spluttered with delight at the sight of the lofty 'epergnes' set up and down the supper-table when he was brought in to note the preparations made in his honor. ❋ William Dean Howells (1878)
Central decoration usually consisted of epergnes or plateaus, the latter of which was a raised mirror, often with silver or gilt decorations on the raised sides, while the former was a tall stand with hanging arms that held either baskets of sweets, or platforms that held glasses containing sweets. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Without the tree-like epergnes, pregnant with their overloaded salvers of sweetmeats and elaborate fruit displays, the table had a simple refinement that pleased me. ❋ Kate Morton (2008)
Adhering to the rocks are thin, flaky, brittle growths resembling vine-leaves, brown and golden-yellow; goblets and cups, tiered epergnes, distorted saucers, eccentric vases, crazily-shaped dishes. ❋ Unknown (2003)
Amelia, fluttery and undecided as a bird, was far too timid to do herself justice; and Zara spent so long arranging the flowers in the central epergnes that before she had finished with one of them it was lunch time. ❋ Unknown (2003)
Below that, spread across the floor, chests, boxes, crates, epergnes, statues, jewels, gems, cloth'the most dreadful welter of costly and rare things he could ever have imagined. ❋ Lackey, Mercedes (1993)
Conspicuous in Summer by their golden green leaves, and their striking epergnes of bright emerald blossoms, the Wood Spurge, and the Petty Spurge, adorn our woodlands and gardens commonly and very remarkably. ❋ William Thomas Fernie (N/A)
For fruit, silver-gilt baskets, or _epergnes_ of glass are especially pretty. ❋ Agnes H. Morton (N/A)
Where else such a welter of flowers, such sumptuously Edwardian epergnes, or such incredibly appropriate conversation? ❋ Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 (1935)
This room showed the same care as the upper one, and the table was laid out with Hamilton's plate and glass and four beautiful epergnes held the flowers. ❋ Victoria Cross (1910)
"I am glad to see you," said he; "dinner waits us;" and with that we passed into another chamber, hung with skins as the first was, but containing a dining-table laid for four persons in a very elegant manner, with cut glass, and silver epergnes laden with luscious-looking fruit and the best of linen. ❋ Max Pemberton (1906)
The table, hastily cleared by the caterer's men, was empty of the china and glass which they had supplied, but still retained the candlesticks and epergnes that were Vicky Van's own. ❋ Carolyn Wells (1902)
Mr. Jameson is a wealthy man and very popular in the neighbourhood; his cups and epergnes are worth looking at. ❋ Unknown (1894)
It was particularly beautiful, being composed almost entirely of the rich summer fruits in elegant baskets, with epergnes of lovely flowers arranged in exquisite taste. ❋ Kuno Francke (1892)
Noble epergnes, filled with the choicest plants, found their reflections in plates of glass cunningly inlaid here and there upon the surface of the table. ❋ Emerson Hough (1890)
There were fifty covers laid; in the middle and at either end were shallow baskets, full of flowers; between these towered tall _epergnes_, filled to overflowing with crackers in gilded and colored paper. ❋ ��mile Zola (1871)
She vowed it was done curmudgeonly to vex her, because her uncle hated wedding-presents and had grunted at the exhibition of cups and saucers, and this and that beautiful service, and epergnes and inkstands, mirrors, knives and forks, dressing-cases, and the whole mighty category. ❋ George Meredith (1868)
[Please help] yourself to some [dainties] from the epergne [on the table]. ❋ News Of The Words (2017)
