What is the use of an epurn?

Sometimes I look at pieces and have no idea what they were used for.
I just found out on christmas those glass swans with the large bowl made in the back was for floating flowers. Who knew?!

Epurns, I really dont get them, though hey are neat to look at...
Are they flower holders? Do you put colorful marbles/beads in the base?
Do you serve food out of them?

 

assuming you mean epergne; yes, they're centerpieces for flowers, fruits, or most anything to create an ornamental centerpiece...

 

Here is a glass one in use with flowers . . .


And here is a funny about them . . .

 

Commonly spelled epergne but pronounced like you spelled it Mostly used for decoration.

 

Messi -- that's the prettiest one ever!

 

I think this post title should be a bumper sticker.

 

Ha! Spelling it wrong was probably where I went wrong.

I thought it might be for flowers, but who knows..

Thanks for helping me out