Fork with Mule-Head Finial
Unknown Artist
375–425 CE
Medium
silver
Dimensions
0.5 × 20.4 cm, l. 20.4 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Alexander
Accession Number
1987.210
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This two-tined silver fork has a faceted handle that terminates in a mule head, perhaps a nod to its use for meat— whether cooking, serving, or eating. Forks from the premodern Mediterranean are rare, only known through a small number of surviving examples. Extant forks are relatively large and often bronze, making this silver example still more rare.