Toasting Fork
ca. 1690 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This early surviving example of a toasting fork was used to toast bread in front of an open fire. The person using it stuck a piece of bread onto the fork tines (prongs) and held the bread in front the fire until it was done. When it was not being used, the fork could be hung up by its suspension ring.
By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor.
By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver with a wooden handle |
| Brief description | Silver and wood, no hallmarks, mark of Ro |
| Physical description | The handle of wood, the mounts of silver with maker's mark Ro crowned. Slightly tapering handle of circular section. Trumpet shaped mount on top decorated with four raised mouldings and a foliated border; a suspension ring is attached to the side above the engraved initials R -. Toast holder in the form of a double hook hinged to a tapering socket; the latter has a border of acanthus foliage above a moulding. The ends of the hook are shaped as eagle's heads. Wooden handle slightly cracked. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Louis C.G. Clarke |
| Object history | Bequest - Dr Louis C G Clarke Acquisition RF: 61/44 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This early surviving example of a toasting fork was used to toast bread in front of an open fire. The person using it stuck a piece of bread onto the fork tines (prongs) and held the bread in front the fire until it was done. When it was not being used, the fork could be hung up by its suspension ring. By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.22-1961 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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