{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O77781"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O77781/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL7699/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL7699/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AL7699","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O77781/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O77781","accessionNumber":"994&A-1902","objectType":"Knife and fork","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>Until the 17th century, it was the custom for guests to bring their personal cutlery, but by the 18th century knives and forks were provided in matching sets by the host. The basic form of knives and forks had also become standardised by this date.<br><br><b>Design & Designing</b><br>By the mid-18th century, table knives and forks were usually made in sets and decorated to match the rest of the cutlery.  By the end of the 18th century the standard pistol-shaped haft (handle) gave way to straighter, flat-ended hafts. Forks generally had smaller hafts. The knife blade is usually of sabre, or scimitar, shape. The steel blades and shanks have a 'tang' or rod at the base that fits into the hollow handle, which is then packed with resin. The junction between haft and blade is fitted with a small metal collar, or 'ferrule'.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>Porcelain hafts were introduced into Europe from China, and the subsequent demand stimulated the production of porcelain hafts at many European factories. Ceramic hafts were made in moulds, usually copied from Chinese designs.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Porcelain handles, mounted with scalloped silver ferrules, with steel blade and tines","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AL7699"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"118A (VA)","id":"THES49236"},"free":"","case":"CA5","shelf":"","box":"30"},{"current":{"text":"118A (VA)","id":"THES49236"},"free":"","case":"CA5","shelf":"","box":"30"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"knife (culinary tool)","id":""}],[{"text":"Fork","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Chelsea","id":"x31142"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"probably"},{"place":{"text":"Derby","id":"x31922"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"possibly"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1750-1770","earliest":"1750-01-01","latest":"1770-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by J. H. Fitzhenry","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Probably made by Chelsea manufactory, London or the Derby manufactory.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Knife and fork","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["994-1902","994A-1902"],"accessionNumberNum":"994","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1902,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","knife (culinary tool)","Fork"],"assets":["2019LN2589","2019LR2811","2019LP5772","2019LP5146","2019LP1703","2019LV7094","2019LV5370"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}