Fork with Antler and Silver Handle
ca. 1730â40
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-134-c
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Fork with Antler and Silver Handle dating to around 1730–40, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of early American material culture. Crafted from natural antler paired with a silver handle, it reflects the colonial era's resourceful blend of organic materials from the wilderness and imported precious metals, often signaling status at the dining table. As personal cutlery gained popularity in the 18th, such pieces transitioned from communal trenchers to individual utensils, underscoring evolving social customs around meals and etiquette. Though the artist remains unknown and re...
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...