Folding Knife with Gold Plated Silver Handle From Traveling Cutlery Set
ca. 1827
Medium
cutlery
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-255
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of 19th travel with this elegant *Folding Knife with Gold Plated Silver Handle from a traveling cutlery set, dated around 1827. Crafted as part of a portable dining ensemble, this piece exemplifies the exquisite metalwork of the early American Republic era. The gold-plated silver handle only provided a luxurious sheen but also practical corrosion resistance for life on the road—whether by stagecoach, canal boat, or early railroad. Its folding mechanism allowed for compact storage, making it an essential accessory for affluent travelers seeking to maintain civility a...
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...