What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

What was this used for? - PHOTO REQUIRED
Post Reply
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by dognose »

Hi,

I've had some images sent to me of a unusual (to me) item:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Can anyone suggest the purpose of this piece? It would appear to fish related, perhaps for filleting at the table?

Also, any thoughts on the maker would be appreciated, the marks are tiny and these were the best images that could be obtained. It's 'H & C', but the symbols are not clear, but maybe those of Hauvy Fils & Crampon of Paris?

All thoughts very welcome.

Trev.
dragonflywink
co-admin
Posts: 2492
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:42 am
Location: Orlando, Florida
Contact:

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by dragonflywink »

Looks like a melon fork to me...

~Cheryl
AG2012
contributor
Posts: 5576
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:47 am

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by AG2012 »

Probably oyster fork.Short and curved tines help detach the oyster from the shell.
Two-pronged fork is for shellfish, snails and hors-d'oeuvre.
Regards
dragonflywink
co-admin
Posts: 2492
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:42 am
Location: Orlando, Florida
Contact:

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by dragonflywink »

Try an internet search for "fourchettes à melon argent" and see what turns up - can probably dig up some catalog images when I have time...

~Cheryl
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by dognose »

Many thanks both of you for your thoughts. Following Cheryl's suggestion and Goggling that, it does indeed appear to be the intended use (though I think it would work equally well with oysters!).

Trev.
AG2012
contributor
Posts: 5576
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:47 am

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by AG2012 »

Difficult to tell H&C. or H & Cie
If there is a rosebud above and a star below, with H & Cie, it could be Henin, (& Cie), Paris.
H&C. is for Hauvy fils & Crampon
Regards
JayT
contributor
Posts: 925
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 1:45 pm

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by JayT »

Definitely a melon fork, in an ever-popular Louis XV-type pattern. Melon forks measure about 15-21 cm long. Although they have 3 tines, oyster forks are shorter, measuring 12-15 cm.

David Allan illustrates a number of melon fork models.

Hénin also gets my vote as the maker.
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: What Was the Use of This Piece of French Flatware?

Post by dognose »

Hi AG2012 and JayT,

Thanks to both of you for the additional information. I'll pass the details along to the owner.

Trev.
Post Reply

Return to “Mystery Objects”