Boxwood sheath and pearl inlaid knife and fork, Northern Europe 16th centu

A boxwood cutlery sheath and pearl inlaid knife and fork.

Northern Europe, late 16th century.

Measurements:
Sheath - 21.5cm long
Fork - 17cm long
Knife - 17cm long

The sheath is decorated to the front and reverse with scenes from the Return of the Prodigal Son and the sides are decorated with the twelve apostles. The sheath is dated ‘(1)590 and carved with the initials ‘W.G.W’. The knife and fork handles are brass mounted and decorated with pearl, horn and green stained bone.

* ‘In Plate 64 is illustrated a knife and fork in a finely carved wooden sheath, with silver mount engraved with flowers. The carving is dated 1611 and bears the initials W.G.W. So far, this maker, who apparently worked over a period of half a century, has not been identified, but he was probably either Flemish or German. I have recorded nine other very similar sheaths by the same man, bearing the dates 1566, 1577, 1589, 1591, 1592, 1593, 1594, 1602 and 1615. Each sheath, which is hollowed out of a solid block of heavy, dark hardwood, is divided into 24 scenes, carved with the Return of the Prodigal Son, and the Twelve Apostles, plus panels for a shield, the date and the maker’s initials. There is a pierced projection on the sheath for cords, for suspending it from the girdle.’

References:

*Edward Pinto, Treen & Other Wooden Bygones, London, 1969, p.73., pl. 64.