Knife thumbnail 1
Knife thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Knife

1634 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The handle has a steel tang with a gilt brass cap and a ball finial running down through the hollow centre of the amber to attach it to the gilt steel ferrule and steel blade. A piece of clear amber craved in the shape of a segmented vase forms the top of the handle, while the main body of the handle consists of a clear amber panel over foil painted in red, black and gold with a full length figure of an apostle and an inscription in Latin. On the sides are set two silver panels inscribed 'Leonardus Marius' and '1634'. The blade is marked with a cross and crescent.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Amber over painted metal foil with silver panels, gilt steel ferrules and steel blade, gilt brass caps and finials
Brief description
Steel knife with an amber handle, one of a set of one fork and twelve knives, North East Germany, perhaps Stolp, dated 1634.
Physical description
The handle has a steel tang with a gilt brass cap and a ball finial running down through the hollow centre of the amber to attach it to the gilt steel ferrule and steel blade. A piece of clear amber craved in the shape of a segmented vase forms the top of the handle, while the main body of the handle consists of a clear amber panel over foil painted in red, black and gold with a full length figure of an apostle and an inscription in Latin. On the sides are set two silver panels inscribed 'Leonardus Marius' and '1634'. The blade is marked with a cross and crescent.
Dimensions
  • Length: 25cm
  • Handle length: 9.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Leonardus Marius (Textual information; On one of the two silver panels on the side of the handle)
  • 1634 (Date; On one of the two silver panels on the side of the handle)
Object history
Part of a set of twelve knives and one fork bought in the sale of the collection of the Earl of Londesborough at Christie's, London, 10 July 1888, lot 665.
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Trusted, Marjorie. Catalogue of European Ambers in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985. 119 p., ill. ISBN 0948107138.
Collection
Accession number
1391J-1888

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

Record createdFebruary 2, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest