Knife with Triangular Pattern Ivory and Bone Handle
ca. 1610
Medium
cutlery
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-88
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step back to the early 17th century with this elegant *Knife with Triangular Pattern Ivory and Bone Handle*, crafted around 1610 by the esteemed London Cutler's Company. Founded in the late 16th century, this guild of skilled knifemakers regulated the cutlery trade in England, producing high-quality blades for both everyday use and display. During the Jacobean era under King James I, such knives were status symbols at the dining table, transitioning from sharp-pointed weapons to blunter eating utensils as table manners evolved. The knife's handle, inlaid with ivory and bone in a precise trian...