Fork
late 17th century
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-30
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant fork from the late 17th century offers a glimpse into everyday life during America's colonial era. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Robert L. Metzenberg Collection—generously gifted by Eleanor L. Metzenberg—it exemplifies the practical yet refined cutlery of the time. While details on its maker and materials remain under research, its presence in the museum highlights how ordinary objects can embody historical artistry and craftsmanship. In the late 1600s, forks were still a novelty in the American colonies, transitioning from European aristocratic tab...
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...