Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Metalware, Room 116, The Belinda Gentle Gallery

Knife

late 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The handle of this knife is made from boxwood and is carved with The Temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Boxwood comes from the box tree, which grows particularly in Southern Europe. It is a dense wood with a fine grain. Turners and wood engravers used boxwood for making carved ornaments, musical instruments, small tools, and even casting moulds for ornamental metalwork.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Steel and carved boxwood
Brief description
Folding knife with a carved boxwood handle depicting the Temptation of Adam and Eve, Germany, late 17th century
Physical description
Folding knife with a carved boxwood handle depicting the Temptation of Adam and Eve.
Dimensions
  • Open length: 5.9in
Taken from Register.
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Subjects depicted
Summary
The handle of this knife is made from boxwood and is carved with The Temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Boxwood comes from the box tree, which grows particularly in Southern Europe. It is a dense wood with a fine grain. Turners and wood engravers used boxwood for making carved ornaments, musical instruments, small tools, and even casting moulds for ornamental metalwork.
Collection
Accession number
M.634-1910

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Record createdMay 26, 2005
Record URL
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