Combination Cutlery Set thumbnail 1
Combination Cutlery Set thumbnail 2
+1
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

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.


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
  • Length: 21.5cm
  • Fork width: 2cm
  • Length: 27.5cm
  • Spoon width: 3.7cm
  • Length: 22.4cm
  • Knife width: 2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • RD (Silversmith's mark on spoon and fork (unidentified))
  • BT (Cutler's mark stamped on knife blades)
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

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest