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Author	Topic: Folding Flatware
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 05-10-2016 01:59 PM A recent purchase prompts me to compare a few pieces of flatware that can be folded up or taken apart to make them more easily portable. In years gone by I may have shown some of them in other posts for one reason or another, so bear with me if this becomes too repetitive. However, I’ll start with the latest acquisition and, as it happens, the oldest item. A gilt trefid folding spoon with engraved decoration. No marks but dating from circa 1680-1690. It has a contemporary crest: on a chapeau a lion statant gardant ducally crowned and collared. This is the crest used by the illegitimate sons of King Charles II. The date and quality of the spoon is consistent with such ownership but there were rather a lot of illegitimate sons by nearly as many mistresses and I cannot narrow down the identity of the first owner further. For comparison, a slightly later collapsible spoon. A cannon-handled spoon with engraved decoration, makers’ marks only – for George Cox on the bowl part and (possibly) William Gimber on the handle. Made in London, circa 1700. No inscription to offer any clue as to the original owner, but another piece of some quality. Moving on a few years to a collapsible fork. No marks, but probably from circa 1730-1740. It would once have been partnered with a matching knife and probably a folding spoon. In this case the top of the handle pulls off, allowing the tines to be stowed inside the handle when packed away. On some similar forks or knives from campaign sets the handle can contain other tools or containers for spices. Finally, a piece I no longer own. A historicist item of the late 19th century with Dutch pseudo marks and, I think, a French import mark. It would originally have had a spoon bowl as well that could be clipped over the tines. I let it go because it wasn’t complete and didn’t really fit in with what I was collecitng. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1971 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 05-10-2016 10:41 PM How utterly delightful! IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 05-11-2016 09:36 AM Indeed, great stuff! I like your latest addition! IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2377 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 05-11-2016 11:33 PM Beautiful spoons. Some interesting tales if these spoons could talk. IP: Logged

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