Knife

Art Historical Context

This elegant 18th-century knife, attributed to British cutlers Ephraim How and John How, showcases the masterful blend of utility and ornament in Georgian-era metalwork. Crafted a sharp steel blade and a luxurious ivory handle, it measures a compact 9 1/8 inches (23.2 cm) in length—ideal for table service. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decor Arts, this piece was generously gifted by the Estate of James Hazen in 1959. In British culture of the 1700s, finely wrought knives like this were prized possessions on affluent dining tables, symbolizing refined taste and skilled craftsmanship. The steel classification underscores the era's advances in blade forging for durability, while the ivory handle—evoking tags of women—adds a touch of sculptural delicacy, transforming a functional tool into decorative art. Visitors will appreciate how such metalwork reflects 18th-century Europe's fascination with everyday elegance, bridging practicality and artistry in a single, gleaming object.