Fork from a Cutlery Set
1650â1700
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-37
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant fork, part of a larger cutlery set from 1650–1700, offers a glimpse into the material culture of early America. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Smithsonian Collection, it exemplifies the functional yet refined objects that graced colonial tabletops. Donated through The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection by Eleanor L. Metzenberg, the piece awaits further research, underscoring how museums continue to uncover stories from everyday artifacts. Dating to the late 17th century, this fork reflects a pivotal shift in dining etiquette. Forks were still novel in Europe and its...
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...