Fish Fork and Knife

Public Domain

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Maker R. & W. Wilson(American, partnership active 1825–1846)American, partnership active 1825–1846

CultureAmerican

Titles

Fish Fork and Knife

Datec. 1835–1845

Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumSilver

DimensionsVarious dimensions

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Dr. William P. Hood, Jr.

Object numberB.2008.10.1,.2

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionThe fish set was introduced during the 19th-century and designed for serving fish at the table. Its predecessor, resembling wooden-handled trowels with pierced decorated blades, was a form first introduced in the late-18th century. By the mid-19th century, the slice was re-contoured and now accompanied by a matching fork. During the period of the fish set’s popularity, no other service pieces were as richly ornamented and few surpassed its scale.
Provenance Research Ongoing Published References "American Silver Fish Servers, 1840-1910, Part One," Silver Magazine, Nov/Dec 2002 (p. 18, Fig. 1). Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Stamped on back of handle: "R. & W. WILSON"

Stamped on back of handle: "PHILADA"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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