Trencher (one of a set)
Not on view
Placed decorated side-down on the table, painted trenchers served as a simple plate for cakes, candied fruit, marzipan, or other confections. Once the dessert was consumed, they were turned over to reveal colorful images and witty verses, providing prompts for discussion that ensured animated conversation would continue well past the meal.
The cloth merchant William Lante and the apothecary William Tryvet both had painted fruit trenchers included in a list of their valuables, suggesting well-to-do Exeter residents took hospitality seriously.
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