Folding Knife (Part of Traveling Cutlery Set)
ca. 1790–1800
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-239
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant folding knife, dating to around 1790–1800, forms part of a traveling cutlery set, a clever solution for the mobile lifestyles of the late 18 and early 19th. In an era when long-distance travel by coach, ship, or horseback was common among merchants, explorers, and affluent Americans, compact utensil sets like this allowed diners to carry their own eating implements—knives, forks, and spoons—safely folded into a protective case. Such items blended practicality with portability, reflecting the ingenuity of everyday craftsmanship during the early American republic. Though the artist...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...