Knife and Fork
ca. 1680 - ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This set of a knife and fork has handles of carved ivory representing figures of the Virtues. The style of the carving suggests these pieces are Netherlandish and date from the late seventeenth century.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Ivory and steel with silver mounts |
| Brief description | Knife and fork, carved ivory handles, depicting the Three Virtues, with ferrules of silver, Netherlandish, ca. 1680-1700 |
| Physical description | Knife and fork with carved ivory handles depicting the Three Virtues, with ferrules of silver, terminating in four masks. Cutler's mark: a bill-hook and mullet |
| Marks and inscriptions | a bill-hook and mullet (Cutler's mark
) |
| Credit line | Alfred Williams Hearn Gift |
| Object history | Given by Mrs Ellen Hearn, Villa St Louis, Menton in 1923; this and other objects presented at the same time were labelled as the Alfred Williams Hearn gift. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This set of a knife and fork has handles of carved ivory representing figures of the Virtues. The style of the carving suggests these pieces are Netherlandish and date from the late seventeenth century. Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.97&A-1923 |
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| Record created | April 15, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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