Folding Fork with Engraved Decoration From Traveling Cutlery Set
ca. 1827
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
1985-103-257
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This folding fork with engraved decoration, dating to circa 1827, is a remarkable artifact from a traveling cutlery set. Crafted by an unknown artist, it exemplifies 19th-century ingenuity by blending everyday utility with aesthetic appeal. The folding design made it compact and portable, while the engravings transformed a simple utensil into a more refined object, reflecting the era's attention to craftsmanship even in practical items. Traveling cutlery sets like this one were important companions for those on the move, offering personal dining tools in an easily stored form during a time of...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...