Toasting Fork
1794-1795 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This 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 of 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 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 the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and wood |
| Brief description | Silver and wood, London, 1794-5, mark of J.R. |
| Physical description | Black wooden handle swelling at the top and decorated with turned mouldings. Toast holder formed as a double hook hinged to a socket with a raised moulding at the edge. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Louis C.G. Clarke |
| Summary | This 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 of 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 the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.26-1961 |
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| Record created | October 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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