nef

[ nef ]

/ nɛf /

a silver or gold table furnishing in the form of a ship, either for holding various utensils or for ornament.

Words nearby nef

1680–90; < French: ship < Latin nāvis. See nave

Two cup-bearers stand ready with wine and in a prominent position upon the board stands a nef.
Chantilly in History and Art|Louise M. Richter
Nephalism, nef′a-lizm, n. total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
Of all the ornaments of the table in medieval times the most conspicuous was probably the “nef.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 7|Various
I was maker von vagons in Carlsruhe, und I nef'r gedt home again.
The Octopus|Frank Norris

There is a Nef introduced in the famous Nancy tapestry (fifteenth century) of precisely the same construction.
Chaucer for Children|Mrs. H. R. Haweis