Steel Knife with Ivory Handle
Unknown Artist
14th century
Medium
Ivory, steel
Dimensions
Overall: 11 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 1/2 in. (28.5 x 3.8 x 1.2 cm) blade length: 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm)
Classification
Ivories
Culture
Italian
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911
Accession Number
11.137.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Steel Knife with Ivory Handle crafted by an unknown Italian artist in the 14th century, the refined artistry of medieval Europe. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department classified among its prized ivories, this compact piece measures just 11¼ inches overall, with a 6¾-inch steel blade honed to a precise edge. The marriage of durable steel and luxurious ivory underscores the era's blend of functionality and opulence, likely serving as a personal dining utensil or gentleman's accessory carried daily. The ivory handle, a hallmark of Italian medieval cra...