During the Victorian era, The English had a tool for everything and made sure that each one of them was as attractive as possible. This Papier Mache crumb catcher is testament to that. Also known as a “Silent Butler,” crumb catchers such as this one were staples of fine dining rooms. With an accompanying brush, crumbs would be swiped from a table cloth into this shallow bowl. Constructed of countless layers of Papier Mache, this scalloped receptacle is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and hand-painted with a Chinoiserie scene and abstract decorations.
As is the case with most Papier Mache objects, few of these Silent Butlers remain. Rarer still are complete sets which include the accompanying brush. Asian scenes such as this one were a popular motif of the time. Others are adorned with winding painted roses and violets in bright reds, blues and purples. Usually black, I’ve also seen Silent Butlers in a bright Chinese Red. While some might consider such tools to be the height of Victorian formality, I regard them as evidence of their love of combining functionality with beauty.
During the Victorian era, The English had a tool for everything and made sure that each one of them was as attractive as possible. This Papier Mache crumb catcher is testament to that. Also known as a “Silent Butler,” crumb catchers such as this one were staples of fine dining rooms. With an accompanying brush, crumbs would be swiped from a table cloth into this shallow bowl. Constructed of countless layers of Papier Mache, this scalloped receptacle is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and hand-painted with a Chinoiserie scene and abstract decorations. 
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