Topic: Can anyone help identify... 4 snifters with ceramic base...le Coup du Milieu

[novakane]

I have 4 miniature snifters that sit in a ceramic base. Each base has "le Coup du Milieu" on it and each glass has a wheat etch with an etched symbol as well. I have a tiny bit of info that I found but it was more on what "le Coup du Milieu" meant and not the snifter set. If anyone can help me find out what they are, where there from, and who there made by that would be most appreciated,thanks.

[Carolyn Preston]

The ceramic bits look like French Onion Soup bows. Are the snifters actually attached?  :huh:

Carolyn

[novakane]

Nope, there not attached and they are only around 2" diameter. The glasses are 2"h and 1-1/4" diam.(top).  Maybe the new picture can help.

[novakane]

Here's a close up of the snifters...

[Lustrousstone]

The colours of the glass and the engraving strike me as Czech but it seems highly likely to me that the ceramics were made elsewhere and the whole assembled for the US market or for a restaurant.

[Anne]

Hmmm I'd tend to agree with Christine - and the bases do look very like miniature soup bowls!

[chopin-liszt]

The bases and the glasses do not look as if they belong together at all - not even during the same course at table!

[Chris Harrison]

"Le coup du milieu" refers to the slug of kirsch that folks either dip their bread cubes in before plunging into their fondue or sip alongside.   Seen a few of these mini fondue pots ("petits caquelons"), but never as a set with glasses.  They'd get in the way when you're dipping your bread!

I reckon someone married up the two components because the colours matched, more or less.  Then they could serve the kirsch in the glass, allowing the diner the choice of either drinking it straight, or pouring it into the little pot for dipping purposes - or both, hic!  :ho:

The glasses look Czech to me, too.