This Bohemian crystal epergne on display at The Elms was made around 1880 and once belonged to Ward McAllister (1827-1895), a prominent social figure and tastemaker in New York from the 1860s to the 1890s. The crystal is etched with a motif of curling vines and edged with gold leaf. The central dish bears McAllister’s monogram, “WM.” McAllister - portrayed in gildedagehbo on hbomax by Nathan Lane - was known for helping transform Newport into a Gilded Age resort. He also coined the phrase “the Four Hundred,” referring to the number of fashionable people in New York society deemed suitable to attend a ball at Mrs. Astor’s. (Gift of Mrs. Quinto Maganini, 1982). hbo mansionsofthegildedage #NewportMansions #thebreakers #GildedAgeHBO #gildedage #gilded #sundayfunday #sundayreading