Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1269   CAS 0370-1269; Cake knife
Category Culinary Items; Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Cake knife
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Pinal
Other Geographic Data City: Scottsdale
Maker's Name Kenneth Begay (1913-1977)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1959
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Metal: Silver
Description Cake knife with slight convex cutting edge and asymmetrical back edge; Flat blade expands in width toward distal end, then abruptly tapers in series of terraces; Short solid handle is equal in width to narrowest portion of blade and expands slightly at proximal end and is decorated with pair of parallel lines encircling handle just behind juncture with blade and series of crescent lines that fan out from small circle on proximal end of both faces of handle; "Sterling Hand Made" are stamped on one face of blade along with hallmarks "KB" (Kenneth Begay) and image of a Navajo hogan (White Hogan Shop, Scottsdale, AZ).
Dimensions (cm) Width = 4.5, Length = 24.8