Handle
ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This ivory handle formed of a standing female nude, her left leg bent with an animal, perhaps a dog. The style of the handle suggests it is Netherlandish, and dates 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 | Carved ivory |
Brief description | Handle of fork or knife, carved ivory, a standing female nude, Netherlandish, ca. 1650 |
Physical description | Handle is carved with a standing female nude figure, her left leg bent, holding a small animal, perhaps a dog. The eyes of both have been slightly hollowed out and painted black. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Bought from the Soulages Collection in 1859. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This ivory handle formed of a standing female nude, her left leg bent with an animal, perhaps a dog. The style of the handle suggests it is Netherlandish, and dates 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. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 5584-1859 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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