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Fork

1660-1685 (made), post 1680 (altered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This fork of ivory and steel represents King Charles II (1630-1685; r. 1660-85), crowned and holding a sceptre. The object is likely to be contemporary with his reign.
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
Materials and techniques
Steel with carved ivory
Brief description
Fork, ivory and steel, carved with the crowned figure of Charles II, the tines are probably later than the handle, England, 1660-1685
Physical description
Fork with an ivory handle carved with the crowned figure of Charles II in Garter mantle with sceptre and sword.
Dimensions
  • Whole length: 15cm
  • Ivory alone length: 6.5cm
Credit line
Given by Mrs H. Farquhar
Object history
Given by Miss Helen Farquhar, Belgrave Square, London, in 1925.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This fork of ivory and steel represents King Charles II (1630-1685; r. 1660-85), crowned and holding a sceptre. The object is likely to be contemporary with his reign.
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
  • Hayward, John F., English Cutlery Sixteenth to Eighteenth Century (Victoria & Albert Museum), London, 1957 p. 15, pl. X
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 pp. 435, 436
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, pp. 435, 436, cat. no. 470
Collection
Accession number
M.65-1925

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Record createdApril 18, 2005
Record URL
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