Telescopic Toasting Fork
1805-1806 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This toasting fork was used to toast bread before 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, like this one. The handles had 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, like this one. The handles had 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 | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silver and lacquered wood |
| Brief description | Silver and lacquered wood, London, 1805-6, mark of I.I.D |
| Physical description | Tubular handle of four sections, the top lacquered in brown, gold and green on a black ground with scenes in the Chinese manner. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Louis C.G. Clarke |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This toasting fork was used to toast bread before 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, like this one. The handles had 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.29-1961 |
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| Record created | October 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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