English Knife and Fork of Puritan Form with Superb Ivory Handles

Period: 1600-1700

Origin: English

Medium: silver, Steel and Ivory Handles

Literature: With the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 the short and rather severe puritan knife began to be replaced with a longer blade, curved and spatulate at the tip, which eventually acquired a distinct sabre look with a pistol shaped handle. Much of the surviving cutlery from this mid 17th century period seems to be quality pieces such as these examples, which have been treasured and preserved as family heirlooms. As England recovered from a long period of Puritanism and with the crown reclaimed by Charles II who was used to European dining practices and extravagance and ornament at table, cutlery became more luxurious and a gradual refinement in manners gave rise to a more common usage of the fork.