At this benefit,
you’ll eat
like a queen
Bishop Museum rolls out
By Burl Burlingame
the royal china for a
fund-raising fete
Star-BulletinQueen Emma was given a lovely set of blue-and-white flowered china in 1865. It was a big set, a service for 48, and made with the usual British elegance at the Copeland factory. As dinnerware goes, it's both understated and unremarkable. But put yourself into that time period. In 1865 there were still many in Hawaii for whom fine china was an extraordinary new invention brought from overseas.
"It really has the feel of Queen Emma, how I imagine Queen Emma was -- quiet and sophisticated and genteel," said Bishop Museum archivist Betty Kam. "It really is Kamehameha china."
Fine royal china is still in production, including the "Flora Danica" line by Royal Copenhagen, originally commissioned by Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. A table setting for 10 will set you back $150,000.
Princess Pauahi's covered dish, and Queen
Liliuokalani's fruit-themed dessert plate.
More affordable is Royal Copenhagen's dinner benefit for the Bishop Museum for just 100 guests taking place Saturday in the ballroom at the Halekulani Hotel. The black-tie affair will include compositions by Queen Liliuokalani played by the Honolulu Symphony.On display will be the "Flora Danica" service, plus selected china from the Bishop Museum's archives, including Queen Lili'uokalani's dessert service, Queen Kapiolani's fish plates and Princess Pauahi's covered serving dish, tea cup, saucer, pitcher and egg cup.
Liliuokalani's service has hand-painted fruit designs by Nellie Morrison Nixon, whom the queen housed in Iolani Palace while the work was completed.
"These are in all sorts of condition, but generally china holds up very well over the years," said Bishop Museum conservator Melissa Arnold. "Gold can oxidize, and so can some types of glazes. We don't know how Nixon painted the fruits, but it's certainly not water-soluble."
Collections technician Angel DePasquale said that traditional Hawaiian coconut bowls and wooden platters will be added to the monarchy china. "We're trying to confirm that some of these wooden items are indeed royal, she said. DePasquale will be on hand to answer questions during the event, and "I only have a week to cram!"
Dinner at the event, by the way, will be served on Royal Copenhagen's "Blue Flower" porcelain, which dates back to 1779. Each place setting is valued at $1,200. It would go well with Royal Crown Cola.
Royal meal
Benefit: for Bishop Museum
