Art Institute of Chicago

Fork, Knife, and Spoon

Southern Germany

Date

c. 1600

Medium

Bloodstone (Heliotrope), silver, gilding, and steel

Culture

Southern Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This rare complete set of cutlery consists of a fork, knife, and spoon that are all finely worked with precious materials. The delicate scrolling silver-gilt mounts and finials with diminutive helmeted heads of the goddess Minerva date these utensils to around 1600, which was when personal cutlery sets became increasingly popular in court culture. For the banqueting elite of German courts, having a personal cutlery set was a requisite sign of civility. As objects they were equally prized for use at the table or as art pieces found in Kunstkammeren (collector’s cabinets of curiosities). Utensils using hardstones were especially sought after as the material was believed to have curative properties.

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