Butter Knife
1849-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The first examples of the butter knife date from the late 18th century. In the Victorian period the butter knife was used to serve butter, rather than to spread it.
Design & Designing
Most butter knives, like this one,are designed with a wide, scimitar-shaped blade with a blunt edge. Many had a stained green ivory or mother-of-pearl handle, but this example is made in the Princess Number 2 pattern to match a cutlery service. In 1899 one manufacturer, James Deakin & Sons Ltd of Sheffield, offered a 108-piece canteen that included one butter knife. At a later date the shape of the blade was copied and used for fish knives and forks. Butter knives became smaller in the late 19th century, as individual butter dishes encouraged the use of a butter knife as part of the place setting.
Manufacturer
This butter knife was made by Chawner & Co., who were the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian London, supplying the top end of the retailing trade as well as smaller firms throughout the country. Under the name of the proprietor, George Adams, the business exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862.
The first examples of the butter knife date from the late 18th century. In the Victorian period the butter knife was used to serve butter, rather than to spread it.
Design & Designing
Most butter knives, like this one,are designed with a wide, scimitar-shaped blade with a blunt edge. Many had a stained green ivory or mother-of-pearl handle, but this example is made in the Princess Number 2 pattern to match a cutlery service. In 1899 one manufacturer, James Deakin & Sons Ltd of Sheffield, offered a 108-piece canteen that included one butter knife. At a later date the shape of the blade was copied and used for fish knives and forks. Butter knives became smaller in the late 19th century, as individual butter dishes encouraged the use of a butter knife as part of the place setting.
Manufacturer
This butter knife was made by Chawner & Co., who were the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian London, supplying the top end of the retailing trade as well as smaller firms throughout the country. Under the name of the proprietor, George Adams, the business exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast silver |
| Brief description | Butter Knife |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Hallmarked for 1849-1850 |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The wide blade and curved blunt edge traditional for butter knives developed in the 18th century. In the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. catalogue of 1896, silver butter knives were available in a variety of different flatware patterns to match other table cutlery. They cost from 10s to 14s (50p to 70p).(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Manufactured in London by George W. Adams for Chawner & Co. |
| Summary | Object Type The first examples of the butter knife date from the late 18th century. In the Victorian period the butter knife was used to serve butter, rather than to spread it. Design & Designing Most butter knives, like this one,are designed with a wide, scimitar-shaped blade with a blunt edge. Many had a stained green ivory or mother-of-pearl handle, but this example is made in the Princess Number 2 pattern to match a cutlery service. In 1899 one manufacturer, James Deakin & Sons Ltd of Sheffield, offered a 108-piece canteen that included one butter knife. At a later date the shape of the blade was copied and used for fish knives and forks. Butter knives became smaller in the late 19th century, as individual butter dishes encouraged the use of a butter knife as part of the place setting. Manufacturer This butter knife was made by Chawner & Co., who were the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian London, supplying the top end of the retailing trade as well as smaller firms throughout the country. Under the name of the proprietor, George Adams, the business exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.8A-1967 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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