Pair of Wedding Knives
1638 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Originally it was customary for a pair of knives to be given as part of a bridal trousseau. Later on, a matching knife and fork was given instead. The practice of giving knives first started in England during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-47), but the custom has longer traditions on the Continent. Marriage contracts in the mid 14th century record the 'attest of knife'. This practice derived from the convention of presenting a purchaser with a knife when conveying property.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Steel knives, with amber and ivory handles, silver filigree finials and silver encrusted ferrules, leather case covered with linen canvas embroidered with silk and silver-gilt threads. |
| Brief description | Pair of wedding knives in an embroidered case, English, possibly London, dated 1638. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Purchased from Christies on 01/05/1950 |
| Object history | Bought at Christie's, London, 1 May 1950, lot 143. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Originally it was customary for a pair of knives to be given as part of a bridal trousseau. Later on, a matching knife and fork was given instead. The practice of giving knives first started in England during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-47), but the custom has longer traditions on the Continent. Marriage contracts in the mid 14th century record the 'attest of knife'. This practice derived from the convention of presenting a purchaser with a knife when conveying property. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European Ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985. 119 p., ill. ISBN 0948107138. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.12 to B-1950 |
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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
