Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0389-1675   CAS 0389-1675; Folding fork
Category Culinary Items; Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Folding fork
Culture English
Global Region Europe
Country England / Great Britain
State/Prov./Dist. England
County South Yorkshire, probably
Other Geographic Data City: Sheffield, probably
Maker's Name
Date of Manufacture prior to 1830
Collection Name Rietz Collection of Food Technology
Materials Metal: Steel; Nickel silver (?); Cow horn; Paper
Description Four-tined folding steel fork with tortoise shell handle and silver bolster; Fork has hallmark and "Palmer" stamped on in; Tortoise shell handle has scalloped decoration on proximal end; From BRL 1982: “Folding fork, England, Sheffield, probably, before 1830; Simulated tortoise shell handle (made of cow horn, stained and backed with colored paper), shell caved end; Fancy nickel silver (?) (sic) bolsters; Nicely forged four tined fork, file worked shank and spring; Tang stamped crown / GR / Palmer; A superb example.”
Dimensions (cm) Width = 2.1, Thickness = 0.8, Length = 20.7