The last decade of the 19th century and the first 15 years of the 20th are generally known as La Belle Époque: a relative economic and political stability had given to the people of Italy, and Europe, a much needed respite from the events of the tumultuous first 80 years of the 1800s.

These are times of celebrations and banquets, where the rich, once again, much like the aristocracy of the Renaissance had done, enjoyed an hedonistic lifestyle centered on a complete abandonment to the pleasures of life. In are again banquets and luscious dinners, filled with delicious food, wines, spirits and music. Dinners were held in each and every wealthy family's residence, a spread of lucullian dishes and Tiffany and Cartier jewels.