Knife and Fork
1600-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Mother-of-pearl was an ideal material for making handles. Its diverse colours shimmered, it was cheaper than ivory and it lasted longer as it did not dry and split. This cutlery set may be ‘Habaner work’, a term used for folk art made by refugees from the Austrian province of Tyrol who settled in Hungary during the religious wars of the 16th century.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. 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.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. 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.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Steel, with handles of horn and mother-of-pearl over a wood core and engraved brass ferrules |
Brief description | Knife and fork with handles of horn, mother-of-pearl and brass, possibly 'Habaner work', Germany or Hungary, 1600-1700. |
Physical description | Knife and fork with handles of horn and mother-of-pearl over a wood core. Engraved brass ferrules. |
Credit line | Bequeathed by Capt. H. W. Murray |
Summary | Mother-of-pearl was an ideal material for making handles. Its diverse colours shimmered, it was cheaper than ivory and it lasted longer as it did not dry and split. This cutlery set may be ‘Habaner work’, a term used for folk art made by refugees from the Austrian province of Tyrol who settled in Hungary during the religious wars of the 16th century. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. 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. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.1062&A-1910 |
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Record created | February 4, 2005 |
Record URL |
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