Knife Box
ca. 1775-85 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Knife cases stood on the sideboard, so that servants could set out fresh cutlery for each course. This box contains two sets of 12 knives and forks for the first course and for desserts, one carving knife and fork, and slots for six serving implements (missing). William Abdy was a specialist maker of hilts and handles. The cutlery may have been made by William Henry Looker, whose business was in Leadenhall Street.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany veneer with silver mounts |
| Brief description | Knife box with sloping lid, mahogany veneer with silver mounts, containing cutlery. London, ca. 1775-85. |
| Physical description | Knife box veneered in mahogany, cross-banded and inlaid with various wood. Sloping lid with silver handle in the centre. Serpentine front, silver hasp and escutcheon decorated with pierced scroll-work. The interior lined with red velvet and silver braid and divided into slots for cutleyr, containing 12 large and 12 small knives, 12 large and 12 small forks and a piar of carvers, all with silver handles by William Abdy. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Knife case and flatware
Mahogany veneer inlaid with various woods and silver
London, around 1775
Cutler, mark of William Abdy
The knife blades marked LOOKER
Case mounts, unmarked
Knife cases stood on the sideboard, so that servants could set out fresh cutlery for each course. The box contains two sets of twelve knives and forks for the first course and for desserts, one carving knife and fork, and slots for six serving implements (missing). William Abdy was a specialised hilt and handles maker. The cutlery may have been made by William Henry Looker, whose business was in Leadenhall Street.(2006) |
| Credit line | Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark CMG, DSO through Art Fund |
| Summary | Knife cases stood on the sideboard, so that servants could set out fresh cutlery for each course. This box contains two sets of 12 knives and forks for the first course and for desserts, one carving knife and fork, and slots for six serving implements (missing). William Abdy was a specialist maker of hilts and handles. The cutlery may have been made by William Henry Looker, whose business was in Leadenhall Street. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.65-1950 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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