Sweetmeat Fork
Graceful design, fine workmanship, and costly materials transform this essentially utilitarian implement into a luxury object of striking elegance. As forks were rarely used for eating until the 16th century, this example was probably used for serving sweetmeats or other delicacies. It is uncertain whether the unusual polyhedral terminus has a functional or symbolic purpose.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sweetmeat Fork
- Date: ca. 1500
- Geography: Made in Upper Rhineland, Germany
- Culture: German
- Medium: Silver, partially engraved, silver-gilt, and rock crystal
- Dimensions: 7 7/8 x 13/16 x 9/16 in. (20 x 2.1 x 1.4 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Silver
- Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Louis R. Slattery, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.33
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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German
late 15th century
German
ca. 1500
German
ca. 1500
German
1490–1500
German
ca. 1500
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