English Knife and Fork of Puritan Form with Superb Ivory Handles
A Very Fine English Knife and Fork of Puritan Form with Superb Ivory Handles Decorated with Patterns of Tulips, Vines and Flowering Tendrils by Means of an Inlay with Silver Wire and Green and Red Enamel
The ivory fixed in place with a plain silver ferrule and cap. The knife with a tapered iron blade with a near square tip ground to a shallow point. The iron two tine fork with a turned stem
Both contained in the original stamped leather case
Circa 1660-70
Size: 21cm long and 19cm long – 8¼ ins long and 7½ ins long
The ivory fixed in place with a plain silver ferrule and cap. The knife with a tapered iron blade with a near square tip ground to a shallow point. The iron two tine fork with a turned stem
Both contained in the original stamped leather case
Circa 1660-70
Size: 21cm long and 19cm long – 8¼ ins long and 7½ ins long
With the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 the short and rather severe puritan knife began to be replaced with a longer blade, curved and spatulate at the tip, which eventually acquired a distinct sabre look with a pistol shaped handle. Much of the surviving cutlery from this mid 17th century period seems to be quality pieces such as these examples, which have been treasured and preserved as family heirlooms. As England recovered from a long period of Puritanism and with the crown reclaimed by Charles II who was used to European dining practices and extravagance and ornament at table, cutlery became more luxurious and a gradual refinement in manners gave rise to a more common usage of the fork.
English Knife and Fork of Puritan Form with Superb Ivory Handles
SOLD
