MAGNIFICENT PROCELAIN COFFEE AND TEA SERVICE WITH LAVISH FLOWER DECOR. KPM. Berlin. Date: 1847-1870. Technique: Porcelain, enriched in colours and gold. Description: All parts decorated with lavish gilding and polychrome floral paintings. 19 pieces consisting of: 1 coffee pot (h. incl. lid 19cm) 1 teapot (h. incl. lid 16cm) 1 hot water jug (h. incl. lid 14cm) 1 cream jug (h. 8,5cm) 1 sugar bowl (7,5x9x9,5cm) 1 large plate (32x43cm) 1 churn (Ø18cm) 6 cups 6 saucers. Mark: Penny mark with sceptre, twice without sceptre, imperial orb in red, different impressed and painted marks. The splendid table The connection between food and power, between table and decoration, has a long tradition. Lavishly filled banquet tables, rich in opulence and in the variety of the served dishes, have been a common practice of self-portrayal since the Middle Ages in order to increase one's own prestige. From around the 17th century onwards, there was an increasing tendency to stage banquets for guests as even greater spectacles. Festively laid tables became a status symbol for the rulers. With so-called "entremets", the hosts not only represented their wealth, but also demonstrated their power and status in society. Dishes were intended to entertain and amuse the guests, but also to surprise them. Artfully staged centrepieces, elaborately crafted works of art made of fruit or sugar adorned the table. Imitations from the animal world but also architectural replicas made of tragacanth sugar were very popular. There were no limits to the cooks' imagination. Sometimes even living birds could fly out of the dishes. Estimated shipping costs for this lot: Germany: 37,82 Euro plus 7,18 Euro VAT EU: 58,82 Euro plus 11,18 Euro VAT Worldwide: 117,65 Euro plus 22,35 Euro VAT additional shipping insurance