Matthew Esposito
10/01/2007
The chef aboard a 200-foot Feadship anchored off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on
the Riviera glimpses the lush peninsula with its elegant pink and ochre houses
as he puts the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. A last braising, greens
removed from the crisper and it’s time to plate the first course. It’s a
light summer meal of petite courses, and he’s happy with the chosen Puiforcat
Voiles china—a new line with an abstract representation of a sail. Upstairs,
the steward has selected the wines and is consulting with the stewardess on
which glasses to use. "The Lalique or the Steuben?" he asks. Such are the
decisions made nightly in the world of luxury yachting.
Top: Puiforcat’s Voiles pattern with its abstract sail motif. Bottom: La
Table Hermès’ classic Chaine d’Ancre in blue. (Click images to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
This month, five fantastic companies offer classic and
modern looks for a range of items including tabletop linens, silver, porcelain
and crystal. From the centuries-old houses of Hermès, Steuben and Lalique to
newer companies such as William Yeoward and Ralph Lauren Home, the choices are
impeccable.
Three companies fall under the Hermès group umbrella: Saint
Louis, Puiforcat and La Table Hermès. While Saint Louis specializes solely in crystal, La Table Hermès and Puiforcat each have their own range of crystal,
silver and porcelain. The greatest nautical selection is found in the porcelain
realm where Puiforcat’s newest line, called Voiles (French for "sails"), and La
Table Hermès’ well-recognized Chaine d’Ancre (anchor chain) are the perfect
balance of modern and traditional. Also beautiful are La Table Hermès’ Balcon du
Guadalquivir and Siesta patterns and Puiforcat’s Tan Yu. The latter two should
be kept in mind for those owners or guests who enjoy a flora and fauna motif,
while the Balcon du Guadalquivir is a breathtaking poppy red pattern that
would entice any diner to clear his or her plate just to enjoy an
unobstructed view. As for crystal, Saint Louis’ Diamant line is particularly
pragmatic for yachting given its stemless glasses. Modern silverware
patterns such as HTS and Virgula also come from Hermès and Puiforcat,
respectively.
Top: Ralph Lauren Home’s Barrett leather-wrapped barware. Photograph courtesy of Ralph Lauren Home. Bottom: William Yeoward’s botanical Fern pattern, available for linens, crystal and
china. (Click images to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Often found in some manner, shape or form on the luxury yacht
(be it artisan glass, a light fixture or stemware), Lalique crystal is no
stranger to the sea. The company offers services that include monogramming and
personalization, 15-year pattern production, guaranteed re-stocking of crystal
and airtight decanter repair. Many of its stemless crystal patterns are suitable
for dining afloat. One of the most elegant is Perles (pearl), where tiny,
pearl-like circles wrap the base of each glass and the stopper of the decanter
to look like pave diamonds in the right light. For stemware, the Roxane pattern
is a versatile and classic choice. Just a touch of accentuation comes in the
form of a "knot" of entangled cherubs at the top of each stem; the motif is also
used for the decanter stopper. For the bar, the Hulotte (owl) line is a
stunningly crafted collection of highball and tumbler glasses accompanied by a
decanter. Demonstrating the fine art of Lalique, an owl motif works its way
around each sculptural piece.
Top: Lalique barware. Bottom: An artful, sea-inspired centerpiece from
Steuben Glass. (Click images to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Ralph Lauren Home recently entered the tabletop game and has
several selections this year that satisfy the needs of the casual indoor or
outdoor table, as well as the bar. With its Long Point drink caddy and Beach
Haven tray, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres can be served on deck with the casual
elegance that so becomes yachting. Inside, the Barrett leather-wrapped barware
is great for everyday use, as are the Dylan wine glasses.
Founded in 1903, Steuben Glass combines state-of-the-art
technology with centuries-old traditional glassmaking techniques. Though
some of its most amazing pieces are stemware, stemless glasses and vases have
found a special place in this month’s showcase. The Oceanus Bowl is a remarkable
piece and the perfect tabletop accent. Reminiscent of the intricate, organic
textures of natural sea sponges, its base is cast in bronze by the "lost wax"
method and surrounds a hand-formed, then ground and polished Steuben glass
vessel. Steuben’s Tortoise Martini glasses are another brilliant creation.
Formed to perfectly nestle in the hand, they are great for crowded parties with
a sculpted base replacing the ever-precarious stem. For those who enjoy
their martini up, the Tipsy Martini glasses are a wonderful and whimsical
choice. Their off-kilter stems are a reminder of what might happen after one too
many libations. "A feat of balance and precision," the Counterpoint collection
is a gorgeous array of stemware shapes that beautifully poise a conical bowl
atop a perfect and simple sphere. Finishing the glass is a dramatically tapered
stem, which completes the counterpoise of the two geometric elements.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Yeoward Fern crystal stemware. (Click image to enlarge)
William Yeoward Crystal rounds out our selection with its regal
and multi-faceted collection of table linens, silver, English bone china and
crystal. Corresponding patterns are offered between china, table linens and
crystal, such as with the Fern and Gosford series. William Yeoward’s English hallmarked sterling silver flatware is named after six of England’s most
beautiful country houses and is produced in Sheffield, home to English cutlery
for more than half a century. As hallmarked pieces, all six lines include the
four elements consistent with their pedigree: the Sponsors Mark, the
International Quality Mark, the Assay Office Mark and the British Quality Mark.
Contacts:
Hermès International,
www.hermes.com
Lalique, www.lalique.com
Ralph Lauren Home, www.rlhome.polo.com
Steuben Glass, www.steuben.com
William Yeoward Crystal,
www.williamyeowardcrystal.com.