Centrepiece

A centrepiece or centerpiece is an important item of a display, usually of a table setting.

A centrepiece also refers to any central or important object in a collection of items.

[2] Traditional types for the very formal dining table include the epergne, with branching arms ending in bowls, and the surtout de table, in English reserved for a long tray, often with mirrors as the surface, on which candles, sculptures and other objects are placed.

[2] However, centrepieces are often not too large, to avoid difficulty with visibility around the table and to allow for the easier serving of dishes.

Formal functions in Europe can sometimes have very elaborate centrepieces, which can span the entire length of the table.