Toasting Fork
ca. 1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This toasting fork was used to toast bread in front of an open fire. The person using it stuck a piece of bread onto the fork tines (prongs) and held the bread in front of the fire until it was done. When it was not being used, the fork could be hung up by its suspension ring.
By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor.
By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and wood |
| Brief description | Silver and wood, England, no marks, ca. 1700 |
| Physical description | Tapering handle of circular section with flattened circular knob at the top and a ferrule just above the centre. The knob carries a suspension ring on top and the ferrule has a broad, central moulding; both have borders of acanthus foliage. Four pronged fork, the two pairs of prongs formed as a cross with the arms bent down. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | No marks |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Louis C.G. Clarke |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This toasting fork was used to toast bread in front of an open fire. The person using it stuck a piece of bread onto the fork tines (prongs) and held the bread in front of the fire until it was done. When it was not being used, the fork could be hung up by its suspension ring. By about 1800, some toasting forks had telescopic handles with some three to four slides so the length could be reduced when the fork was not in use. The silver handles were sometimes engraved with decoration (here an ancanthus motif), the owner’s initials or a dedication from a donor. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.23-1961 |
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| Record created | October 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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