Fork
ca. 1650
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-59
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold the unassuming yet intriguing *Fork* (ca. 1650), a humble piece of cutlery from the Smithsonian Art Museum's collection. to the mid-17th century this artifact hails from an era when European settlers in America were establishing their material culture amid colonial expansion. Forks, still novel in many households—having originated as a luxury from Byzantine and Renaissance Italy—represent a shift from communal trenchers and knives toward more individualized dining etiquette. Classified as cutlery and preserved through the generous gift of The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection by Eleanor ...
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...