Knife & fork

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This silver-handled knife and fork are fashioned with pistol-grip handles. The knife handle is engraved with 'Alexander Robertson 1717' who was the poet chief of the Robertsons of Struan in Perthshire.

The knife has a steel blade, the fork has steel prongs. The silver pistol grip handles on both are hollow. The butt ends of both items act as seal matrices for the owner's arms and merchant's mark.

In the 18th century, as eating habits became more sophisticated, the use of separate cutlery for individual dishes became more common.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-452-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEQ 24
• Date: 1717
  1717
  Around 1717
  
• Material: Silver, steel. Inscription: IB (?)
  Silver, steel. Inscription: Knife handle: Alexander Robertson 1717; IB (?)
  Fork
  Knife
  
• Dimensions: 197 mm L x 25 mm W max (handle)
  215 mm L x 25 mm W max (handle)
  
• What: Fork
  Knife
  
• Subject: Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Alexander Robertson of Struan (Owner)
  Alexander Robertson of Struan (Owner)
  I. B. (?) (Maker)
  I. B. (?) (Maker)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: One of a silver-handled knife and fork with pistol grip ends, by I.B. (?), engraved on the knife handle "Alexander Robertson 1717", the Poet Chief of the Robertsons of Struan
  One of a silver-handled knife and fork with pistol grip ends, by I.B. (?), engraved on the knife handle "Alexander Robertson 1717", the Poet Chief of the Robertsons of Struan
  
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