Beauregard Keyes House
Dining by Design 2024
General Beauregard Entertains Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde reached New York on Christmas Eve 1881. Debarking the S.S. Arizona, he announced at customs that he had nothing to declare but his genius. His tour through America generated riotous news articles, provoked by his eccentric costumes and even more outrageous behavior. Wilde got catcalls and applause from coast to coast, including a raucous standing ovation from rustic miners in Leadville Colorado, but nowhere was he more elegantly feted than in New Orleans. He gave a lecture on the decorative arts at the Grand Opera House and another at Spanish Fort Pavilion entitled “The House Beautiful.” His social position was ensured when General P.G.T. Beauregard took him under his wing.
This table imagines General Beauregard entertaining Mr. Oscar Wilde at an intimate literary breakfast before their carriage ride together through New Orleans in June of 1882. They are joined by George Washington Cable, an eminent local novelist admired by Wilde, and Madame Mary Ashley Townsend, a poet and writer who also entertained the Englishman during his stay here. Both have brought their recently published books as gifts.
Because Oscar Wilde had adopted the sunflower as his symbol during his visit, there occurred a shortage of this flower in the city. Citizens lucky enough to find them created displays in their windows and on their balconies. Lilies, the symbol of the Decadent Movement in America and England, were also abundant about town.
Savory Sources
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Traditional Calas
Brandon Pellerin at Calas Cafe
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J. Lassalle Champagne
John Keife at Keife & Co.
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Urbain Dubois Style Gateau
Melissa Daniel at Bywater Bakery “Cakery”
Adornments
English George IV period Old Sheffield rolled plate silver campana form wine cooler with neoclassical foliate band, bearing a Scottish armorial "Per Mare Per Terras" $1800.00
Set of twelve 19th century French hand blown crystal champagne flutes with cut decoration on bowls and "mirabeau" stem $1200.00
Very fine 19th century French Restauration period porcelain coffee/tea service with gilt accents and detailed hand-painted rose of Malmaison decoration, circa 1840 $2800.00
Exceptional English Georgian Old Sheffield rolled plate silver coffee urn in barrel form with fluted legs ending in paws, standing on a shaped platform with bun feet, circa 1830 $2400.00
Set of twelve 19th century French hand blown crystal sweet wine glasses with cut decoration to bowls and "mirabeau" stem $495.00
Pair of fine hand blown 19th century "verre de boheme" fluted decanters with etched "vintage" decoration, probably for the French market $825.00
Pair of 19th century English Old Sheffield rolled plate silver wine coasters with rococo decoration to rims, turned wooden floors with engraved silver buttons, circa 1830 $895.00
Heavy English William IV period cut glass water jug, circa 1840 $450.00
Set of six large scale French Belle Epoque absinthe glasses with elaborate cut decoration to bowls and ball ornament at stem $595.00
French Belle Epoque absinthe spoons $75.00-$95.00
Exceptional English Georgian solid silver-gilt flatware with armorial device: sixteen forks, knives and spoons by various makers, all dating between 1808-1818 $6200.00
Set of six French Belle Epoque cut glass "porte-couteaux" knife rests, "decor a colonne classique" $145.00
Pair of handsome and heavy English William IV period Old Sheffield rolled plate entree dishes with paw feet and gadrooned edges $1800.00
Boxed late 19th century French bronze dore tart server with first standard silver handle $185.00 English Georgian sterling silver serving spoon, maker Robert Rutland, London, 1810 $395.00
Boxed American sterling silver and vermeil egg service, maker Crosby, Morse & Foss, Boston, circa 1870: two cups, saucers, spoons and salts with "S" monogram $785.00
English late Victorian plated silver egg cruet, maker John Round & Son Ltd., Sheffield, frame fitted for four cups and four spoons $395.00
English late Victorian plated silver egg warmer with hen finial $495.00
Late 19th century American grape shears with sterling silver handles bearing a vine decoration $375.00
English late Victorian plated silver cake basket with elaborate "decor a la grecque" and beaded decoration on rim and handle $795.00
English plated silver toast rack with loop handle and bun feet $245.00
Fine large scale and heavy early 19th century Anglo-Irish cut glass banquet vase with star base, circa 1820 $625.00
English mirrored plateau in circular form, with plated silver pearl and rocaille border $1200.00
Early 19th century English Regency mahogany tilt-top supper table in unusual scale, the top with satinwood, rosewood and ebony banding, the carved base with brass mounts $3800.00
19th century English mahogany butler's tray, on folding turned stand $1400.00
19th century French three-panel screen with later upholstery $3000.00
Rare French Louis-Philippe period silk embroidered lady's fan with turned wooden handle $525.00