Knife with Sheath, Chopsticks, Pickle Spear and Toothpicks
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Steel, bone, ivory, brass, sharkskin, agate
Dimensions
Knife (a); L. with sheath 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm); L. without sheath 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm); W. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); Wt. 3.1 oz. (87.9 g); sheath (b); Wt. 1.7 oz. (48.2 g); chopsticks (c, d); L. 10 5/16 in. (26.2 cm); W. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm); Wt. 0.4 oz. (11.3 g); pickle spear (e); L. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm); W. 3/16 in. (0.5 cm); Wt. 0.2 oz. (5.7 g); earspoon (f); L. 2 13/16 in. (7.1 cm); pick (g); L. 2 13/16 in. (7.1 cm); pick (h); L. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm)
Classification
Knives
Culture
Chinese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.987a–h
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th–19th Chinese knife set, complete with sheath, chopsticks, pickle, earspoon, and toothpicks, exemplifies the ingenuity of Qing dynasty personal accessories. Crafted from diverse materials like steel for the blade, bone and ivory for handles, brass fittings, sharkskin for a secure grip, and agate, it measures about 13 inches long with its sheath. Weighing just a few ounces total, this compact kit (overall around 5.4 oz.) was designed for portability, fitting neatly into a traveler's pocket or pouch. In Chinese culture, such multi-tool eating and hygiene implements were practical luxuries for merchants, officials, or elites on the move, blending dining essentials with personal care. The knife doubled as a cutting tool, while the chopsticks, slender pickle spear (for spearing bites), and fine picks addressed everyday needs—revealing a sophisticated approach to functionality long before modern multi-tools. Sharkskin provided texture for handling greasy foods, and precious materials like ivory signaled status. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor department (Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935), this "knife" highlights how edged tools intertwined with daily life, offering a window into China's blend of utility, craftsmanship, and refinement. Visitors, imagine unfolding this at a roadside inn—elegance in every precise detail!