Cutlery canteen

A cutlery canteen is a complete, matched set of table flatware produced in a single pattern, comprising forks, knives, spoons and serving pieces. In a palace it is often sterling silver or silver plate, bearing the maker's hallmark and sometimes engraved with the house's crest. Stored in a case with felt-lined compartments, it ranks among the costliest assets of a dining room's inventory and demands regular polishing to preserve its lustre between services.