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1985

  • We acquired this object.

2002

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2025

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Folding Knife with Gold Plated Silver Handle From Traveling Cutlery Set Knife

This is a knife. It is dated ca. 1827 and we acquired it in 1985. Its medium is steel, gold plated silver, brass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

text from the historical overview in "Feeding Desire":

Small shovel shaped spoons, the precursor of the modern day icecream paddle, were introduced, but these were rare, and teaspoons were no doubt used as well. The bowl became increasingly ovoid as the century wore on (fig. 43). By 1760, in England, the handle switched to a downcurve, for better balance with teh new soup dish. With this change, the spoon, and often the fork, were laid bowl and tines up, in contrast to continental practice. This resulted in engraved armorials being upside down to the diner, but right way up in sideboard boxes.

This object was donated by Eleanor L. Metzenberg. It is credited The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.

Its dimensions are

L x W x D: 18.9 × 1.9 × 0.7 cm (7 7/16 × 3/4 × 1/4 in.) L x W x D (folded): 10.4 × 2.5 × 0.7 cm (4 1/8 in. × 1 in. × 1/4 in.)

It has the following markings

On the blade, stamped: [1] L.E.V.

It is inscribed

On the handle, front: F. M 1827; back: Cr M n F (?)

Cite this object as

Folding Knife with Gold Plated Silver Handle From Traveling Cutlery Set Knife; possibly Germany; steel, gold plated silver, brass; L x W x D: 18.9 × 1.9 × 0.7 cm (7 7/16 × 3/4 × 1/4 in.) L x W x D (folded): 10.4 × 2.5 × 0.7 cm (4 1/8 in. × 1 in. × 1/4 in.); The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg; 1985-103-255

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18804051/ |title=Folding Knife with Gold Plated Silver Handle From Traveling Cutlery Set Knife |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=15 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>