Bread knife, wooden handle with steel blade, made by Wingfield, Rowbotham & Co., Sheffield; 1885-1896.

Sturdy wooden handled bread knife with a carved decoration of wheat sheafs and a steel blade.

Given by Sarah Medlam

Manufactured by Wingfield Rowbothan & Co., Sheffield
Large specialist knives for cutting bread at the table or sideboard appear in the 19th century. Bread boards and platters became popular in the Victorian period, and bread knives, often with ornately decorated handles, may have been developed to accompany them.

Historical significance: Bread was a staple food for rich and poor alike. Bread and cheese formed one of the most common midday meals for working men and women. The same foods, served more elegantly in cheese dishes, butter dishes, bread baskets and platter with specialist cutlery such as Bread knives and forks, were offered at society dinners between the puddings and jellies and the dessert. Bread and butter were important components of other meals and social events such as afternoon tea, luncheons and supper parties.

Although in the 18th and 19th centuries a good many knife makers worked in London, by the end of the 19th century Sheffield had almost completely taken over.

Wingfield Rowbotham & Co was an important Sheffield cutlery firm. " It was established in the late eighteenth century and by 1825 appears in Sheffield directories as 'Wade, Wingfield & Rowbotham'...By the late nineteenth century it was located in Tenter Street...producing saws, files and scissors, besides table and pocket-knives". (taken from 'The Sheffield Knife Book', Geoffrey Tweedale)

Wingfield Rowbothan & Co. registered the trademark of a crown over a harp on the 11th February 1885, claiming that it was an old corporate mark. They were taken over by Thomas Turner & Co. in 1898 and Turners themselves registered the mark in July 1899. Turners continued to use the name Wingfield, Rowbotham & Co. and their mark until they were taken over by Viners in 1932. Viners continued to use the harp and crown mark until at least 1954. (Information given by The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire)

Reason For Production: Retail

Object Type
Large, sturdy specialist knives for cutting bread at the table or sideboard first appeared in the 19th century. Bread boards and platters became popular in the Victorian period, and bread knives, often with ornately decorated handles, may have been developed to accompany them.

Food & Drink
Bread was a staple food for rich and poor alike. Bread and cheese formed one of the most common midday meals for working men and women. The same foods, served more elegantly in cheese dishes, butter dishes, bread baskets and platters, were offered at society dinners between the puddings and jellies and the dessert. Bread and butter were important components of other meals and social events such as afternoon tea, luncheons and supper parties.

Manufacturer
Wingfield Rowbotham & Co. were an important Sheffield cutlery firm established in the 18th century. They produced a large range of goods, including saws, files, scissors,and table and pocket knives.

M.29-2000