Knife, fork and case: M.52A-C-1930

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Cutler: Unknown
Handle maker: Unknown

Entities

Knife, fork and case

Description

Amber, bone or ivory, silver and steel; the knife with tapering steel blade and a handle of amber and ivory strips with carved amber head finial; the fork has two tines on a handle similar to that of the knife; the case is covered with shagreen

Amber, bone ivory, silver and steel, wood and shagreen; the knife (A) has a steel blade which tapers to a downward point, the amber and bone or ivory handle is of octagonal section and broadens towards the finial. The sides are of narrow vertical scales of bone or ivory alternating with amber. An inscription of letters cut from gold foil shows through the amber scales. The silver ferrule is engraved with two reeded bands and is initialled 'TW'. The terminal is of a head, probably of a young boy, with long curly hair. The fork (B) has two short steel tines, which slope inwards, on a long baluster knopped stem, and a handle which is similar to that of the knife. The case (C) is of wood covered with unpolished pearl ray shagreen; it has a pull-off lid, is of lobed oval section and tapers to a point.

Notes

History note: Frank Smart Collection

Legal notes

From the Frank Smart Collection, given by T.J.G. Duncanson

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1930) by Duncanson, T. J. G.

Dating

17th Century#
Circa 1670 CE - Circa 1700 CE

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Handle composed of amber (fossil resin) ivory
Ferrule composed of silver
Blade composed of steel
Tines composed of steel
Fork Length 13.4 cm
Knife Length 14.4 cm
Case Length 17.5 cm