Oyster Fork
1870-1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The oyster fork evolved in the 18th century as a specialised item of cutlery for eating raw oysters or clams from their shells. It is smaller than the table fork and may have three or four pointed prongs for spearing the slippery shellfish, although some later Victorian models, such as this one, have a spoon-shaped bowl.
Design & Designing
The decoration of oyster forks is much more restrained that that of other types of Victorian cutlery, such as fish knives and forks or butter knives. Typically, there is very little engraving on the body of the fork, and the handles (of mahogany, mother-of-pearl or ivory) are mainly of simple form. The rounded bowl is reminiscent of the late Victorian salad helper, to which this shape of oyster fork may relate.
Retailing
Oyster forks could be purchased individually for about the same cost as butter knives: between 2s (10p) and 6s (30p) each, depending on the decoration and material. However, the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company catalogue of 1896 offered boxed sets of oyster forks in solid silver, which could have been purchased as wedding or Christmas gifts. These were more elaborate than cheaper examples, and cost about £2 5s for 6 or £5 for 12.
Manufacturer
William Hutton & Sons were a large, well-known firm of manufacturing silversmiths in Sheffield. Their advertisements claimed that they produced 'Every article for the table'.
The oyster fork evolved in the 18th century as a specialised item of cutlery for eating raw oysters or clams from their shells. It is smaller than the table fork and may have three or four pointed prongs for spearing the slippery shellfish, although some later Victorian models, such as this one, have a spoon-shaped bowl.
Design & Designing
The decoration of oyster forks is much more restrained that that of other types of Victorian cutlery, such as fish knives and forks or butter knives. Typically, there is very little engraving on the body of the fork, and the handles (of mahogany, mother-of-pearl or ivory) are mainly of simple form. The rounded bowl is reminiscent of the late Victorian salad helper, to which this shape of oyster fork may relate.
Retailing
Oyster forks could be purchased individually for about the same cost as butter knives: between 2s (10p) and 6s (30p) each, depending on the decoration and material. However, the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company catalogue of 1896 offered boxed sets of oyster forks in solid silver, which could have been purchased as wedding or Christmas gifts. These were more elaborate than cheaper examples, and cost about £2 5s for 6 or £5 for 12.
Manufacturer
William Hutton & Sons were a large, well-known firm of manufacturing silversmiths in Sheffield. Their advertisements claimed that they produced 'Every article for the table'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Electroplated nickel silver and ivory |
| Brief description | Oyster fork, electroplated with ivory handle by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield; 1870-1890. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Mark of William Hutton and sons |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Knowing how and when to use the specialist cutlery required for eating particular foods became an important part of Victorian dining etiquette. Oyster forks were used to eat the shellfish directly from the shell.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Ann Eatwell |
| Object history | Manufactured by William Hutton & Sons, Sheffield |
| Summary | Object Type The oyster fork evolved in the 18th century as a specialised item of cutlery for eating raw oysters or clams from their shells. It is smaller than the table fork and may have three or four pointed prongs for spearing the slippery shellfish, although some later Victorian models, such as this one, have a spoon-shaped bowl. Design & Designing The decoration of oyster forks is much more restrained that that of other types of Victorian cutlery, such as fish knives and forks or butter knives. Typically, there is very little engraving on the body of the fork, and the handles (of mahogany, mother-of-pearl or ivory) are mainly of simple form. The rounded bowl is reminiscent of the late Victorian salad helper, to which this shape of oyster fork may relate. Retailing Oyster forks could be purchased individually for about the same cost as butter knives: between 2s (10p) and 6s (30p) each, depending on the decoration and material. However, the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company catalogue of 1896 offered boxed sets of oyster forks in solid silver, which could have been purchased as wedding or Christmas gifts. These were more elaborate than cheaper examples, and cost about £2 5s for 6 or £5 for 12. Manufacturer William Hutton & Sons were a large, well-known firm of manufacturing silversmiths in Sheffield. Their advertisements claimed that they produced 'Every article for the table'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.27-2000 |
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| Record created | September 20, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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