Paper Knives
c. 1850 (made)
| Place of origin |
Jasper (including the variety bloodstone) is a tough and durable material but, unlike the closely related material agate, it contains various clay-like or other impurities that can make it more resistant to impact damage. This property makes jasper an ideal material for the production of attractive but functional items such as these paper knives. They were produced in Ahmedabad in Gujarat State, India in the mid- to late 19th century and the city continues to be a major gem cutting and trade centre.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Bloodstone, cut and polished using abrasives |
| Brief description | Two paper knives, rounded tips, integral handles, one shaped and engraved, the other relatively unadorned, bloodstone, Ahmedabad India, 19th century |
| Physical description | Two paper knives with rounded tips and integral handles, with one handle being shaped and channel engraved while the other is relatively plain. Fashioned in bloodstone, with a dark green body with red patches, and polished. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | These paper knives were made in Ahmedabad in the mid-19th century. They were formerly in The India Museum in London and then transferred to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed The Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Case .] '01,396. PAPER KNIVES, two. Bloodstone. 12,796' |
| Summary | Jasper (including the variety bloodstone) is a tough and durable material but, unlike the closely related material agate, it contains various clay-like or other impurities that can make it more resistant to impact damage. This property makes jasper an ideal material for the production of attractive but functional items such as these paper knives. They were produced in Ahmedabad in Gujarat State, India in the mid- to late 19th century and the city continues to be a major gem cutting and trade centre. |
| Other number | 12,796 - India Museum Slip Book |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 01396(IS) to 01396A/(IS) |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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