Of heavy gauge silver, each with three tines and a dog-nose (wavy
end) terminal; good lengths to the tines;
the marks worn from polishing
Note :
At the very end of the
17th and beginning of the 18th
century, silver dinner forks with three tines were introduced
- the three tines
representing the thumb and two first fingers,
then proper for transporting solid foods to the mouth.
Although
forks had existed since biblical times, they were quite slow to
catch on in England.
The earlier British clergy contended that God
gave people fingers for eating,
and declared forks to be diabolical
(forks sometimes then referred to as "pitchforks",
having the same
Latin root furca).
The "sherbet
course" was introduced in the early 1700's, not to clear the
palette, as commonly thought,
but for the washing
of the single fork for the next course.
Queen Anne dognose
forks are quite rare and therefore more suitable
for the collector than for table use.
However, there is no meal that will not
be enhanced by dining from an incredible piece of history.
Hanoverian 3-tine forks were also used
in conjunction with dognose spoons and forks.
They are still a bit more
accessible - but becoming less so.
Condition : expected wear to the tines of
Britannia silver, good patination with fine surface scratches,
the
shoulder of one fork with a bit more scratching; marks very worn;
Irish and date mark barely visible;
maker's marks polished away
7.75" / 7.9 oz.
SOLD
#6569
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