Dessert Fork
1800-1820 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Object Type
Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.'
Design & Designing
Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives.
Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.'
Design & Designing
Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silver, die stamped. |
Brief description | Dessert Fork, silver with mother of pearl handle, one of a set of six knives and six forks, England, 1800-1820 |
Physical description | Silver tines and stem with mother of pearl handle |
Dimensions |
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Production type | Mass produced |
Marks and inscriptions |
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Gallery label | Dessert Fork, one of a set of six knives and forks,
Silver with mother of pearl handle,
Marks: duty and sterling guarantee marks only,
England, 1800-1820
Miss D.B. Simpson Bequest
M. 198A-1977 |
Credit line | Bequeathed by Miss D.B. Simpson |
Historical context | Object Type Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.' Design & Designing Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of mother-of-pearl (the most expensive material used for such purposes), which adds to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives. |
Production | Place and date of manufacture uncertain as date letter and town mark are missing. However, other knives and forks in the set can be dated to between 1800-10 and to manufacturers in Sheffield and Birmingham. The engraving of '1819' on the blade of the knives in the set may give the upper end of the date range. |
Summary | Object Type Smaller 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 times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.' Design & Designing Dessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular, were often more ornate. This fork has a handle made of ivory but mother-of-pearl could also be used to add to the effect of luxury. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen. The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.198I-1977 |
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Record created | September 10, 2003 |
Record URL |
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