The most difficult table­ware riddles

Legend has it the shape of the glass was modelled on the breast of Marie Antoinette. The broad surface area allows the champagne to lose its carbonation more quickly, making it not suitable for the current style of very dry champagnes. It therefore fell out of fashion except for traditional occasions such as weddings, where it is often stacked in layers to build a champagne tower.

A perforated or slotted spoon is used to dissolve a sugar cube in a glass of absinthe. In the period since absinthe was made illegal in the US antique dealers have seen dramatic increases in the prices of these artifacts there. Some absinthe spoons can fetch thousands of dollars.

The narrow bowl of the champagne flute is designed to retain champagne's signature carbonation, by reducing the surface area at the opening of the bowl.