17th C. Flatware and Persons of Quality

Early table forks had only two tines. Above are 2, two-tined forks. One is a travel fork which fits into a bowl end, creating a spoon.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 19– Letters and other documents dealing with manners and customs of daily life in the 17th century which came to light recently tend to show that it was customary in those days for “persons of quality” to have sets of their own spoons, knives and forks which they took with them when invited out. These papers were of particular interest just at this time to collectors of antiques in connection with an addition made recently to the British Museum. This was the earliest hallmarked table fork known, engraved with the crest of Manners and Montagu, 1632. 

About the same time a silver spoon of identical hallmark and crest was taken to Haddon Hall. Mention of such a set is made in the will of Mrs. Katherine Ridgeway, dated May 9, 1627, which was among the documents destroyed in a fire some time ago at the Four Courts, Dublin. 

The will says: “I bequeath to the Right Honorable the Lord Chancellor my little seller of crystal bottles item. I give and bequeath to my Ladye of Elye my gilt spoone with the forks and penknife suitable to it.” Mrs. Ridgeway was widow of George Ridgway, secretary of the Irish Council, and the Lord Chancellor was Adam Loftus, Lord Loftus of Ely.

Books on etiquette and table manners were far from being the prerogative of the Victorian age, it is revealed, as in 1663 there was published in London a book entitled “The Accomplished Lady’s Rich Closet of Rarities,” in which the following rules. are laid down: 

“A gentlewoman being at table abroad or at home must observe to keep her body straighte, and lean not by any means upon her elbowes –nor by ravenous gesture discover a voracious appetite. 

“Talke not when you have meate in your mouth, and do not smacke like a pig – nor eat speene-meat so hot that tears stand in your eyes.

“It is very uncourtly to drink so large a draught that your breath is almost gone, and you are forced to blow strongly to recover yourself. Throwing down your liquors as into a funnel is an action fitter for a juggler than a gentlewoman. 

“In carving at your own table distribute the best pieces first, and it will appear very decant and comely to use a fork; so touch no meat without it.”

Reference to the fork was of particular interest to the museum authorities, for those present-day indispensable instruments had not then been long introduced, it appears. 

Forks were first imported from Italy, and their use in England at the time was considered pedantic and laughable. One writer of the time speaks of a silver fork as “being used of late by some of our spruce gallants,” which did not tend to make the fork popular at all among certain sets.– By Associated Press, 1925

 

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