TURKEY, PERIOD OF SULTAN MAHMUD I (1730-1754 AD)

Details

A OTTOMAN TRAVELLING KNIFE AND FORK SET
TURKEY, PERIOD OF SULTAN MAHMUD I (1730-1754 AD)
The knife with straight steel blade, inlaid with cross and star motif, the silver handle decorated with parcel-gilt and niello, terminating in a fluted bulb, the fork with two large sharp prongs and very small central prong, with similar handle, the cloth-covered wooden sheath with silver locket and chape terminating in a bulb, one side nielloed, each with addorsed pair of birds, and stamped with tughra, the other side with engraved scrolling vegetal ornament, blade slightly corroded, niello slightly rubbed
Overall 9½in. (24cm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The overall form of this travelling knife and fork set was imported from Europe where examples had been used since the 17th century, particularly in Germany (for a number of examples see J. van Trigt and Alain Gruber, From Gothic to Art Deco, Cutlery, The J. Hollander Collection, Antwerp, 2003, nos.443-449, pp.244-247). The form of the fork here, with the small central prong, is however not one that is ever found in the European examples.

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