Eighteenth-century European court society was famous for its lavish banquets featuring elaborate settings and protocols designed to indicate the status of both host and guests. Integral to these events were extravagant dining services of silver and gold, many of which were subsequently melted down to finance the frequent wars of the period. This book presents a rare surviving imperial service, made from about 1779 to 1782 for Duke Albert of Sachsen-Teschen...