Meat fork
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
Length: 17 5/8 in. (44.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Steel
Culture
Flemish
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Henry Victor Burgy, 1901
Accession Number
01.23.106
Art Historical Context
This elegant 18th-century Flemish fork, crafted from steel and measuring an impressive 17 58 inches (44.8 cm) in length, offers a glimpse into the refined world of European dining. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decor Arts, it exemplifies metalwork from Flanders—a region celebrated for its masterful craftsmanship during the period. Though the artist remains unknown, the fork's sturdy steel construction highlights the technical prowess required to forge durable yet precise tools for the table. In the 18th century, such utensils were essential fo...