Silver in the New Spain dining rooms

Service items such as jars, coffee pots, tureens, ladles, silver plates and cutlery were arranged on the tables.

Table accessories were also laid out, which were complementary objects intended for specific needs, such as saltcellars, oil cruets, vinegar cruets, salsa dishes, candlesticks and napkin rings.

However, noble families would reserve the pieces worked more delicately to display on the gold works display cabinets.

These consisted of ephemeral scenery consisting of planks seated on benches and superimposed, thus resulting in a semi-pyramidal staggered structure.

On top of them were platters, trays (oval dishes or of mixed profiles, adorned with low reliefs), fruit bowls (wide vessels in the shape of a bowl, inspired by the Greek kraters), food warmers and pieces of filigree.

The display counters used to be located behind the head of the table, so that diners could admire the family treasures.

Through this collection of silver pieces, we can see pieces of stories that take us to the homes of New Spain and their customs at meal times. Regardless of the passing of the years, the dining room has been a place of identity and communion for Mexicans.