Table fork
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Charles Boyton (manufacturer)
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 125b, case 2
- Image in copyright
Object Type
Large table forks evolved in the early 18th century as cutlery became specialised. A desire to eat more elegantly prompted the need for table equipment that could be used only at particular points in the meal or with certain foods. Table forks formed part of a matching cutlery set.
The Victorian Dining Table
From the 1860s Victorian society embraced the new method of serving dinner known as à la Russe, which fundamentally changed the look of the dining table. Previously foods had been set out in silver and ceramic dishes and diners helped themselves, but with dinner à la Russe each course was served individually to guests by servants. The silver entrée dishes and ceramic tureens gave way to lavish floral displays in glass vases and ceramic fruit stands. The cover or place setting assumed a greater importance and occupied a larger area of the dining table. Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management advised in 1888: 'We now come to the knives and forks ... it is usual to lay two large of each, flanked to the right by a fish knife and a soup spoon, and on the left by the fish fork; other knives and forks are supplied with the plates for the different courses.'
Design & Designing
From the 1840s mass-produced cutlery, machine-made in Sheffield, expanded the choice of quality and pattern for consumers. This fork was made in the popular King's pattern, but the Sheffield manufacturers James Dixon & Sons offered 28 different designs for cutlery sets in their catalogue of 1892.
Physical description
Fork, silver, Kings pattern
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
1893-1894 (hallmarked)
Artist/maker
Charles Boyton (manufacturer)
Marks and inscriptions
Leopard's head, sterling, date letter S for 1893-4 and maker's mark of " CB " for Charles Boyton.
Dimensions
Length: 213 mm, Width: 27 mm, Height: 25 mm
Object history note
Manufactured by Charles Boyton, London
Historical context note
Object Type
Large table forks evolved in the early 18th century as cutlery became specialised. A desire to eat more elegantly prompted the need for table equipment that could be used only at particular points in the meal or with certain foods. Table forks formed part of a matching cutlery set.
The Victorian Dining Table
From the 1860s Victorian society embraced the new method of serving dinner known as à la Russe, which fundamentally changed the look of the dining table. Previously foods had been set out in silver and ceramic dishes and diners helped themselves, but with dinner à la Russe each course was served individually to guests by servants. The silver entrée dishes and ceramic tureens gave way to lavish floral displays in glass vases and ceramic fruit stands. The cover or place setting assumed a greater importance and occupied a larger area of the dining table. Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management advised in 1888: 'We now come to the knives and forks ... it is usual to lay two large of each, flanked to the right by a fish knife and a soup spoon, and on the left by the fish fork; other knives and forks are supplied with the plates for the different courses.'
Design & Designing
From the 1840s mass-produced cutlery, machine-made in Sheffield, expanded the choice of quality and pattern for consumers. This fork was made in the popular King's pattern, but the Sheffield manufacturers James Dixon & Sons offered 28 different designs for cutlery sets in their catalogue of 1892.
Descriptive line
Table fork, silver, Kings pattern, made by Charles Boyton, London; 1893.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
John Culme, The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Traders 1838-1914, Vol. 1, Antique Collectors' Club, 1987 p. 95
Information on Company history.
Labels and date
British Galleries:
TABLE KNIVES AND FORKS
This pattern of cutlery, known as King's Pattern, was highly popular and became a standard design. It was more expensive than many patterns. A dozen silver table forks could cost £8 whereas a dozen Fiddle Pattern forks were sold by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. for only £5 12s 6d (£5.62.5p) in 1896. [27/03/2003]
Production Note
Hall marking year from May 1893- May 1894
Materials
Silver
Techniques
Die stamping
Categories
British Galleries; Metalwork; Tableware & cutlery; Eating
Production Type
Mass produced
Collection code
MET
