Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle

late 17th century - early 18th century

Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
Antique folding fork with silver and bone handle
850.00 VAT margin scheme
Article code17-1727
Two pronged iron fork with a spring at the back of the handle to allow folding. The handle with iron core and applied silver and bone is richly decorated. Three silver oval bust medallions are applied over the bone, surrounded by silver dot decorations on both sides of the handle. The silver on the handle is richly decorated with floral scrolls, birds and bust medallions. The side panel is also engraved with palm leaves and dot decorations.

The iron is in good and solid condition, the folding mechanism is in working order.

Length folded: 10,7 cm
Length unfolded: 19,2 cm
Weight: 72,87 g
1
Ebony, ivory, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.

In the 17th century, guest used their own silverware at the dinner table. This is the origin of the 'travel set' which composed of a folding fork and adaptable spoon, often in a specially made case.

Features and Specifications

Period Post-Medieval
Category Artefacts
Material Bone, Iron, Silver