Table fork, silver, one of a set of 26 pieces, including 12 table forks, 6 dessert forks and 8 dessert spoons. Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, all made by Hayne and Co., 1836-7, except 6 table forks by William Eaton, 1831-2.

Table fork, silver, with fiddle, thread and shell pattern on handle.

Bequeathed by Miss D.B. Simpson

Large table forks evolved in the early 18th century as cutlery became specialised. A desire to eat more elegantly prompted the need for table equipment that could be used only at particular points in the meal or with certain foods. Table forks formed part of a matching cutlery set.



The Victorian Dining Table

From the 1860s Victorian society embraced the new method of serving dinner known as à la Russe, which fundamentally changed the look of the dining table. Previously foods had been set out in silver and ceramic dishes and diners helped themselves, but with dinner à la Russe each course was served individually to guests by servants. The silver entrée dishes and ceramic tureens gave way to lavish floral displays in glass vases and ceramic fruit stands. The cover or place setting assumed a greater importance and occupied a larger area of the dining table. Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management advised in 1888: 'We now come to the knives and forks ... it is usual to lay two large of each, flanked to the right by a fish knife and a soup spoon, and on the left by the fish fork; other knives and forks are supplied with the plates for the different courses.'



Design & Designing

From the 1840s mass-produced cutlery, machine-made in Sheffield, expanded the choice of quality and pattern for consumers. This fork was made in the popular Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, but the Sheffield manufacturers James Dixon & Sons offered 28 different designs for cutlery sets in their catalogue of 1892.

Hallmarking year runs from May 1831 - May 1832

M.183:7-1977