Dutch Steel Two Tine Carving Fork with Baluster Stem and Matching Knife
An Interesting Dutch Steel Two Tine Carving Fork with Baluster Stem and Matching
Knife
The handles inset with marine ivory. The fork handle engraved with representations of the symbols of Christ’s passion and to the reverse a prayer. The knife blade etched with a text, the handle illegibly inscribed with prose
1st half of the 17th Century
Size: 20cm long – 8 ins long (each)
Knife
The handles inset with marine ivory. The fork handle engraved with representations of the symbols of Christ’s passion and to the reverse a prayer. The knife blade etched with a text, the handle illegibly inscribed with prose
1st half of the 17th Century
Size: 20cm long – 8 ins long (each)
Cutlery has long been of interest to collectors who jealously stored much of it in the drawers of curiosity cabinets enabling it to survive the centuries under favourable circumstances. It remained an individual and personal possession until well into the 18th century and still applies today to cutlery that is presented as a baptism gift. Apart from it being a status symbol, one of the reasons that cutlery remained a highly personal possession for so long was probably the fear of poisoning, and it is therefore not surprising that people kept it close often suspended from a belt or chain or later in the 18th century in large pockets.
Dutch Steel Two Tine Carving Fork with Baluster Stem and Matching Knife
SOLD