Fork
ca. 1700 - ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This fork of bone and steel with silver tines is of a pair with a knife. Both handles depict crowned heads with floral ornament. They are likley to be Netherlandish, and to date from the first half of the eighteenth century.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Bone and steel with silver tines. |
Brief description | Fork, of a pair with a knife, bone and steel, silver tines, probably Netherlands, ca. 1700- 1750 |
Physical description | This fairly crude carving of this handle (and the pair's knife handle) depicts crowned heads with floral ornament. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by J.H. Fitzhenry Esq., 25 Queen Anne’s Gate, London S.W. |
Object history | Given by J.H. Fitzhenry Esq., 25 Queen Anne’s Gate, London S.W. in 1902. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This fork of bone and steel with silver tines is of a pair with a knife. Both handles depict crowned heads with floral ornament. They are likley to be Netherlandish, and to date from the first half of the eighteenth century. Knives have been used since prehistoric times, but the history of knives, forks and spoons for eating in Europe probably commenced in the fourteenth century, and their use became accepted by the sixteenth century. Until the late seventeenth century it seems to have been common practice for people to carry their own cutlery, often in a leather case. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen. |
Associated object | 1067-1902 (Pair) |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 1067A-1902 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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