Carving Knife and Fork and Six Table Knives
Dateca. 1780
Manufactured by
Staniforth
OriginEngland, Sheffield
MediumMother of pearl; silver; steel
Dimensions1.Carving fork OL: 10 5/16"
2.Carving knife OL: 12 ½”
3-8. Table knives OL: 10 1/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Kay Wilkinson in honor of Colin and Nancy Campbell
Object number2016-165,1-8
DescriptionCarving Fork and Knife with Six Table Knives: all with mother of pearl handles with shell ends,centrally-located neoclassical urn escutcheons, and taperd ferrules with narrow banding, all of silver; carving fork with steel baluster shank and two tines with square shoulders; knives with steel French spearpoint blades, marked “SHEMEL” for Staniforth (maker)Label TextMany specialist craftsmen contributed to the production of this set of carving knive and fork and six table knives. The mother of pearl plaques, steel tines and blades, and silver fittings would have come from different shops to be assembled into stylish utensils. Carving knives and forks dating prior to the nineteenth century are exceedingly rare survivals. This is only the second carving knife to be added to the Colonial Williamsburg collection.
MarkingsBlades marked incuse "SHEMEL" with varying levels of wear and legibility
