Melon Fork
1886 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Dining Etiquette
Dining etiquette formed an important part of the Victorian code of polite society. The Manners and Tone of Good Society, first published in 1879, outlined the correct conduct of the dinner party but focused on the complicated and changing use of cutlery. With a few exceptions, such as for eating bread and some fruit, it frowned on the idea of touching food with the fingers. Around this time diners were being faced with an alarming and growing range of specialist utensils for eating particular foods. It was important to be able to recognise lobster picks, pastry forks and grape scissors and to know how to use them correctly.
Design & Designing
The pattern on the handle of the fork is known as Vine and was popular for decorating dessert ware from its introduction in the early 19th century.
Manufacturer
Francis Higgins & Son rose to great prominence in the silver trade for the quality and ingenuity of their work as specialist spoon and fork makers.
Dining etiquette formed an important part of the Victorian code of polite society. The Manners and Tone of Good Society, first published in 1879, outlined the correct conduct of the dinner party but focused on the complicated and changing use of cutlery. With a few exceptions, such as for eating bread and some fruit, it frowned on the idea of touching food with the fingers. Around this time diners were being faced with an alarming and growing range of specialist utensils for eating particular foods. It was important to be able to recognise lobster picks, pastry forks and grape scissors and to know how to use them correctly.
Design & Designing
The pattern on the handle of the fork is known as Vine and was popular for decorating dessert ware from its introduction in the early 19th century.
Manufacturer
Francis Higgins & Son rose to great prominence in the silver trade for the quality and ingenuity of their work as specialist spoon and fork makers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, with cast decoration |
| Brief description | Melon Fork, silver, London 1886, made by Francis Higgins. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
According to the etiquette book, 'Manners and Tone of Good Society': 'Pastry is always eaten with a fork alone, but in the case of a fruit tart, a dessert spoon is used as well as a fork but only for the purpose of conveying the fruit and juice to the mouth.'(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | This fork, made in London by Francis Higgins, was purchased by the Museum in 1966, when it was described as a 'pastry fork'. However, late-nineteenth-century sale catalogues of cutlery firms refer to forks of this design as 'melon forks'. Melons were chilled and served in slices, and the design of this fork allowed the diner to both cut and secure the fruit. |
| Production | Design registered in 1886 |
| Summary | Dining Etiquette Dining etiquette formed an important part of the Victorian code of polite society. The Manners and Tone of Good Society, first published in 1879, outlined the correct conduct of the dinner party but focused on the complicated and changing use of cutlery. With a few exceptions, such as for eating bread and some fruit, it frowned on the idea of touching food with the fingers. Around this time diners were being faced with an alarming and growing range of specialist utensils for eating particular foods. It was important to be able to recognise lobster picks, pastry forks and grape scissors and to know how to use them correctly. Design & Designing The pattern on the handle of the fork is known as Vine and was popular for decorating dessert ware from its introduction in the early 19th century. Manufacturer Francis Higgins & Son rose to great prominence in the silver trade for the quality and ingenuity of their work as specialist spoon and fork makers. |
| Bibliographic reference | Allan, David. French Silver Cutlery of the XIXth Century. Dijon: Éditions Faton, 2007. ISBN 9782878440966 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.103-1966 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
