Sometimes even we refer to these as 'Bonne nuit', or 'good night' service, and a lot of people use them in that way now. But in fact, this is a c. 1860-80s Absinthe service set. Water or tonic in the large decanter, sugar cubes in the covered jar, and absinth in the smaller decanter, a goblet. All you need is the neon green absinthe and absinthe spoon. In fact, if you wish to use it as it was intended, let us know and we'll add in an antique absinthe spoon. Absinth or absinthe was popular c.1850-1915, when it was mostly outlawed. It is again legal now, and perhaps you'd like to carry on a tradition, or go ahead and use it of an evening as a bedside service. Full measurements of each piece are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent, I can't find a single nip or chip anywhere, not even on the tips of stoppers. Rare to find such an old and complete service so well-preserved and complete. While it may once have had a 2nd goblet, it seems like the tray is quite full with just the one so I'm unsure. The raised enameling on the beautiful cranberry glass is elegant and whimsical, at once - something of the nature of the ritual of absinth, itself. Enameling is also very complete and undamaged on each matching piece. A very little of the gold rim on tray has rubbed through the centuries. Such a pretty one! Just in from France not long ago.
