Fork
ca. 1700 - ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This fork is part of a pair of knife and fork (Mus. No. 666-1853). When first acquired the pair of objects was catalogued as Italian, but is more probably Netherlandish, and likely to date from the first half of the eighteenth century.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
Brief description | Fork (from a pair of knife and knife), ivory and steel, Hope as a female figure, probably Netherlandish, ca. 1700-1750 |
Physical description | The ivory handle of this two-pronged fork is carved with a female figure of Hope with an anchor and a parrot. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | |
Object history | Bought in 1853 (vendor unrecorded). |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This fork is part of a pair of knife and fork (Mus. No. 666-1853). When first acquired the pair of objects was catalogued as Italian, but is more probably Netherlandish, and likely to date from the first half of the eighteenth century. Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen. |
Associated object | 666-1853 (Pair) |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 667-1853 |
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Record created | March 18, 2003 |
Record URL |
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