Lot Essay
The earliest known toasting fork is the one made for a member of the Railton family of Norfolk engraved with the date 1561. The example offered here, as well as the following lot, are early survivors by a maker whose mark is recorded by Jackson from 'a long handled toasting fork'.
An unmarked example dated 1669 is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum where it is described as one of the earliest surviving examples. Another example with maker's mark FG over a mullet of circa 1690 is also in the collection.
An unmarked example dated 1669 is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum where it is described as one of the earliest surviving examples. Another example with maker's mark FG over a mullet of circa 1690 is also in the collection.