Dessert Fork
1818-1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.'
Design & Designing
Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives.
Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.'
Design & Designing
Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, die stamped attached to an ivory handle |
| Brief description | Dessert fork, silver with ivory handles, one of a set of eight knives and nine forks, Birmingham, Joseph Willmore, 1818-20 |
| Physical description | Fork, silver prongs and shaft with ivory handle |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Duty, sterling and maker's mark of Joseph Willmore. (On front of silver shaft of fork.; punching) |
| Gallery label | Dessert Fork, silver with ivory handle, one of a set of eight knives and nine forks, Birmingham, Joseph Willmore, 1818-20.
Bequeathed by Miss D.B. Simpson
M 204:9-1977 |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss D. B. Simpson |
| Historical context | Object Type Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.' Design & Designing Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives. |
| Production | No date letter impressed on the forks but association with knives in set, which are marked for hall marking years 1818-19 and 1819-20, appears to substanciate the dating of the forks. |
| Summary | Object Type Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.' Design & Designing Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives. |
| Bibliographic reference | Arthur G. Grimwade, 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, Faber and Faber, London, 1990 ed., p. 706 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.204:9-1977 |
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| Record created | August 26, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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