Knife
ca. 1700 - ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This ivory and steel knife is probably German or Netherlandish and made in about 1700-1750. The handle is carved in the form of a grotesque head.
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 | |
Materials and techniques | Ivory and steel |
Brief description | Knife, ivory and steel, form of a grotesque head, probably German or Netherlandish, ca. 1700-1750 |
Physical description | The curved handle depicts a grotesque head, whose tongue and eyes are partly painted. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by J.H. Fitzhenry Esq. |
Object history | Given by J.H. Fitzhenry Esq., 25 Queen Anne’s Gate, London S.W. in 1902 |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | This ivory and steel knife is probably German or Netherlandish and made in about 1700-1750. The handle is carved in the form of a grotesque head. 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 | 1031-1902 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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