Fork
ca. 1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This fork, fully carved of ivory, is part of a pair with a spoon (Mus. No. 5588-1859). Both handles are carved with a figure of a boy. The style of the carving suggests these handles are probably French and date from the mid-seventeenth 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 | ivory, carving |
| Brief description | Fork, of a pair with a spoon, ivory, figure of a boy, probably French, ca. 1650 |
| Physical description | This fork is fully made of ivory, the handle carved in a terminal figure of a boy in hte form of a herm with a festoon of flowers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought from the Soulages collection, as a pair with an ivory spoon, 5588-1859. Each one cost £2 10s. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This fork, fully carved of ivory, is part of a pair with a spoon (Mus. No. 5588-1859). Both handles are carved with a figure of a boy. The style of the carving suggests these handles are probably French and date from the mid-seventeenth 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 | 5588-1859 (Pair) |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 5589-1859 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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