This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions), and as such we offer a high-resolution image of it. See our image rights statement.
See more objects with the color antiquewhite grey darkslategrey darkgrey dimgrey or see all the colors for this object.
Object Timeline
|
1985 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2025 |
|
Knife from Folding Cultery Set Knife, 1680–1720
This is a knife. It is dated 1680–1720 and we acquired it in 1985. Its medium is steel, silver, bone. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
text from "Historical Overview" in the Feeding Desire exhibition catalogue:
"From the paucity of seating, we must presume that much of the food served was cut on demand and/or served as pre-cut finger food, not uncommon at that time since it obviated the need for personal flatware to be supplied for all. However, the French continued to carry a personal folding knife (fig. 63), used for cutting food, and it may be that the officers carried these to cut the fruit (fifteen thousand peaches were ordered). Although a few may have been provided with flatware at such occasions, it was not part of the feast design."
This object was
donated by
Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
It is credited The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
Its dimensions are
L x W x D (unfolded): 18.7 × 1.9 × 1.4 cm (7 3/8 × 3/4 × 9/16 in.)
It has the following markings
On blade: [1] two arrow fletching or feather-like symbols, impressed (unidentified cutler's marks)
It is inscribed
On edge of blade: symbol of bird in profile with stylized calligraphic inscription, possibly "1717", engraved (unidentified mark, possibly date made)
Cite this object as
Knife from Folding Cultery Set Knife, 1680–1720; steel, silver, bone; L x W x D (unfolded): 18.7 × 1.9 × 1.4 cm (7 3/8 × 3/4 × 9/16 in.); The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg; 1985-103-141
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005.
