Combination Cutlery Set
ca. 1840 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Combination cutlery set of steel etched, pierced and engraved, the spoon and fork of cast and engraved silver. The set is comprised of three elements, a pocket knife, a spoon combined with a penknife and a fork combined with a corkscrew.
The pocket knife is single edges tapering to a point; the back pierced with a design comprising a vase linked to scrolling leaf work; the scrolls and vases are engraved and the bolster is stamped BT. The blade is operated by a spring set between two steel plates which form the handle; both faces are roughly etched with flowers and foliage. The silver spoon has a deep bowl tapering to a point; the stem engraved on the upper surface with a shell motif and scrolling foliage; at the back a border of engraved leaf work. At the opposite end is a short single edged pocket knife with a substantial bolster on which is stamped BT. The handle is formed of two steel plates, one etched with scrolling foliage, the other engraved and pierced with scrolling leaf work, flowers and a central motif consisting of an open hand with two fingers closed above a baton. On the back of the spoon is a silversmith's mark RD. The handle is formed by two steel plates, the back plate etched with scrolling foliage, the front engraved and pierced with foliage and a bird set amidst branches. A corkscrew is fitted into a recess at the left side of the handle. The spoon, fork, knives and corkscrew are all operated by substantial springs mounted between the plates forming the handle. The sections are held together by means of slots and studs, one of which is missing. This set would have been supplied in a portable case of shagreen or leather.
The pocket knife is single edges tapering to a point; the back pierced with a design comprising a vase linked to scrolling leaf work; the scrolls and vases are engraved and the bolster is stamped BT. The blade is operated by a spring set between two steel plates which form the handle; both faces are roughly etched with flowers and foliage. The silver spoon has a deep bowl tapering to a point; the stem engraved on the upper surface with a shell motif and scrolling foliage; at the back a border of engraved leaf work. At the opposite end is a short single edged pocket knife with a substantial bolster on which is stamped BT. The handle is formed of two steel plates, one etched with scrolling foliage, the other engraved and pierced with scrolling leaf work, flowers and a central motif consisting of an open hand with two fingers closed above a baton. On the back of the spoon is a silversmith's mark RD. The handle is formed by two steel plates, the back plate etched with scrolling foliage, the front engraved and pierced with foliage and a bird set amidst branches. A corkscrew is fitted into a recess at the left side of the handle. The spoon, fork, knives and corkscrew are all operated by substantial springs mounted between the plates forming the handle. The sections are held together by means of slots and studs, one of which is missing. This set would have been supplied in a portable case of shagreen or leather.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Cast, etched and engraved steel |
Brief description | Combination cutlery set, steel, etched, pierced and engraved, the spoon and fork of cast and engraved silver, Germany, ca.1840, marks RD and BD. |
Physical description | Combination cutlery set of steel etched, pierced and engraved, the spoon and fork of cast and engraved silver. The set is comprised of three elements, a pocket knife, a spoon combined with a penknife and a fork combined with a corkscrew. The pocket knife is single edges tapering to a point; the back pierced with a design comprising a vase linked to scrolling leaf work; the scrolls and vases are engraved and the bolster is stamped BT. The blade is operated by a spring set between two steel plates which form the handle; both faces are roughly etched with flowers and foliage. The silver spoon has a deep bowl tapering to a point; the stem engraved on the upper surface with a shell motif and scrolling foliage; at the back a border of engraved leaf work. At the opposite end is a short single edged pocket knife with a substantial bolster on which is stamped BT. The handle is formed of two steel plates, one etched with scrolling foliage, the other engraved and pierced with scrolling leaf work, flowers and a central motif consisting of an open hand with two fingers closed above a baton. On the back of the spoon is a silversmith's mark RD. The handle is formed by two steel plates, the back plate etched with scrolling foliage, the front engraved and pierced with foliage and a bird set amidst branches. A corkscrew is fitted into a recess at the left side of the handle. The spoon, fork, knives and corkscrew are all operated by substantial springs mounted between the plates forming the handle. The sections are held together by means of slots and studs, one of which is missing. This set would have been supplied in a portable case of shagreen or leather. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | G. Giachin Bequest |
Subjects depicted | |
Bibliographic reference | Bernard M. Watney and Homer D. Babbidge, Corkscrews for Collectors, Sotheby Park Bernet, London and New York, 1981, ISBN: 0 85667 113 4 |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.106-1993 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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