Knife thumbnail 1
Knife thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 118a

Knife

1750-1770 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Until the 17th century, it was the custom for guests to bring their personal cutlery, but by the 18th century knives and forks were provided in matching sets by the host. The basic form of knives and forks had also become standardised by this date.

Design & Designing
By the mid-18th century, table knives and forks were usually made in sets and decorated to match the rest of the cutlery. By the end of the 18th century the standard pistol-shaped haft (handle) gave way to straighter, flat-ended hafts. Forks generally had smaller hafts. The knife blade is usually of sabre, or scimitar, shape. The steel blades and shanks have a 'tang' or rod at the base that fits into the hollow handle, which is then packed with resin. The junction between haft and blade is fitted with a small metal collar, or 'ferrule'.

Materials & Making
Porcelain hafts were introduced into Europe from China, and the subsequent demand stimulated the production of ceramic hafts at many European factories. The Staffordshire pottery factories produced solid 'agate ware' (pottery intended to look like agate) and 'marbled agate ware' hafts.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Surface agate ware (earthenware), with steel blade
Brief description
Knife with 'agate ware' handle, from a set (1970 to L-1899), Staffordshire, 1750 - 1770
Dimensions
  • Length: 28cm
Gallery label
British Galleries: The new materials of the ceramic industry were quickly adopted for knives and forks. 'Solid' agate ware was produced by 'wedging', or mixing coloured clays, while 'surface' agate ware was made by swirling together coloured slips or glazes. Both resulted in variegated decoration that resembled marble or agate.(27/03/2003)
Object history
The handles probably made in Staffordshire
Summary
Object Type
Until the 17th century, it was the custom for guests to bring their personal cutlery, but by the 18th century knives and forks were provided in matching sets by the host. The basic form of knives and forks had also become standardised by this date.

Design & Designing
By the mid-18th century, table knives and forks were usually made in sets and decorated to match the rest of the cutlery. By the end of the 18th century the standard pistol-shaped haft (handle) gave way to straighter, flat-ended hafts. Forks generally had smaller hafts. The knife blade is usually of sabre, or scimitar, shape. The steel blades and shanks have a 'tang' or rod at the base that fits into the hollow handle, which is then packed with resin. The junction between haft and blade is fitted with a small metal collar, or 'ferrule'.

Materials & Making
Porcelain hafts were introduced into Europe from China, and the subsequent demand stimulated the production of ceramic hafts at many European factories. The Staffordshire pottery factories produced solid 'agate ware' (pottery intended to look like agate) and 'marbled agate ware' hafts.
Collection
Accession number
1970C-1899

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 20, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest