An epergne (/I parn/ ih-PURN)
is an ornate, multi-tiered table centerpiece popular from the 18th to early 20th century, used to display fruits, sweetmeats, or flowers. Typically featuring a large central bowl or stand with radiating branches holding smaller baskets, vases, or candleholders, they are crafted from silver, glass.
This is copied from another website that sold a larger ,similar piece at auction for $5,800:
"We are thrilled to offer this fabulous large three-tiered 18th-century creamware platt menage, made circa 1780-90 in Staffordshire or Yorkshire, England.
It is a rare and elegant example of lthe finest 8th-century English creamware.
Modeled as three tiers of shell dishes centered around the figure of a flower, the platt menage was made to hold sweet delicacies such as a piece of candy or a small piece of sugar-coated fruit.
The beautiful shells are set on a raised, pierced base with four bands of lovely diamond-shaped piercings (see images).
Just imagine this piece at the center of an 18th-century table!
Dimensions: 14" tall * 10.25" diameter
Condition: Excellent
Price: $5800
For an image and description, see
"Creamware and Other English Pottery at Temple Newsam House, Leeds," "by Peter Walton, page 123, image # 474, where he describes an almost identical two-tier platt menage. "Two tiers of four conjoined scalloped shells separated by a fluted baluster column and s-scrolls and resting on a domed base decorated with applied foliate and pierced openwork panels, surmounted by a vase molded in the form of an opening flower."
When we have a quiet moment in the shop, we sometimes play a game called "If you could have one piece, what would it be?" Hands down, we all chose this piece!


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: No chips or crazing- some color aging to adhesive used under structures but not noticeable.

Origin:
United Kingdom

Materials & Techniques:
Creamware

Details:
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; No chips or crazing- some color aging to adhesive used under structures but not noticeable.