Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500-2005 | Exhibitions | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

This exhibition was on display from May 05, 2006 to October 29, 2006.

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Two pronged steel fork with shaped shaft. Tapered plain silver cylindrical handle (seamed) with rounded end and raised button. Engraved with crest: "gryphon's head" (unidentified).

Fork (probably Netherlands), ca. 1700
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-3

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Fork (possibly Germany), ca. 1730–40
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-4

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Fork (possibly Germany), ca. 1730–40
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-4

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Knife (possibly Germany), ca. 1730–40
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-5

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Knife (possibly Germany), ca. 1730–40
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-5

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Broad oval spoon-bowl. S-scrolled handle with three ribs in center, terminating in volute scroll.

Spoon (Italy), 1718
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-8

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Broad oval spoon-bowl. S-scrolled handle with three ribs in center, terminating in volute scroll.

Spoon (Italy), 1718
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-8

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Small fork has four flat tines, square shoulders. Foliate handle with three ribs in center, volute scroll end.

Fork (Italy), 1704
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-9

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Small fork has four flat tines, square shoulders. Foliate handle with three ribs in center, volute scroll end.

Fork (Italy), 1704
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-9

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Large two-tined fork, tines curved and pointed. Bolster rectangular in section, deeply cut. Tang with button end. Handle eight-sided. Brass scales on major plane engraved with wriggle work; four sides of bone; two tang sides. Handle end with 22 laminated sections of tri-color horn and brass plates. Plain brass end.

Fork (Germany), 17th century
steel, brass, horn, bone.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-10

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Large two-tined fork, tines curved and pointed. Bolster rectangular in section, deeply cut. Tang with button end. Handle eight-sided. Brass scales on major plane engraved with wriggle work; four sides of bone; two tang sides. Handle end with 22 laminated sections of tri-color horn and brass plates. Plain brass end.

Fork (Germany), 17th century
steel, brass, horn, bone.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-10

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Wide steel blade, slightly up-curved lower edge, angled end, pointed. Tang with button end. Handle eight-sided. Brass scales on major plane engraved with wriggle work; four sides of bone; two exposed tang sides. Handle end with 24 laminated sections of tri-color horn and brass plates. Plain brass end.

Knife (Germany), 17th century
steel, brass, horn, bone.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-11

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Wide steel blade, slightly up-curved lower edge, angled end, pointed. Tang with button end. Handle eight-sided. Brass scales on major plane engraved with wriggle work; four sides of bone; two exposed tang sides. Handle end with 24 laminated sections of tri-color horn and brass plates. Plain brass end.

Knife (Germany), 17th century
steel, brass, horn, bone.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-11

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Two long diverging tines, round shouldered. Shaped bolster. Continuous tang, exposed at sides, handle rectangular in section, curved beak end. Two cast brass scales, each with two panels of scrollwork, alternately with crudely engraved sections. Two rivets through scales and tang.

Fork (Germany), ca. 1730
brass, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-12

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Two long diverging tines, round shouldered. Shaped bolster. Continuous tang, exposed at sides, handle rectangular in section, curved beak end. Two cast brass scales, each with two panels of scrollwork, alternately with crudely engraved sections. Two rivets through scales and tang.

Fork (Germany), ca. 1730
brass, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-12

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Tapered pointed blade of triangular section; flat inner side, swaged outer side with additional facet. Shaped brass bolster continuous with handle, twisted ring, circular shaft, baluster section with bell-shaped cup at end.

Knife (probably Italy), 17th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-13

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Tapered pointed blade of triangular section; flat inner side, swaged outer side with additional facet. Shaped brass bolster continuous with handle, twisted ring, circular shaft, baluster section with bell-shaped cup at end.

Knife (probably Italy), 17th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-13

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Triangular tapered pointed blade swaged and notched upper outer edge, inner edge flat. Scroll hilt. Tapered deeply-cut spiral handle. Flat button terminal with radiating flutes. Applied thumb pommel spirally fluted at right near hilt. On blade inner side 6 stamped lozenges with central circle, one on outer side.

Knife (possibly Spain), early 16th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-15

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Triangular tapered pointed blade swaged and notched upper outer edge, inner edge flat. Scroll hilt. Tapered deeply-cut spiral handle. Flat button terminal with radiating flutes. Applied thumb pommel spirally fluted at right near hilt. On blade inner side 6 stamped lozenges with central circle, one on outer side.

Knife (possibly Spain), early 16th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-15

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 4 images of this object.

Long two tined fork, rounded shoulder, elongated facetted neck. Hexagonal, pistol-shaped handle tapered with baluster joint at bolster. Handle facets engraved and punched with foliate scrolls and dots. Hexagonal knop at end of handle.

Fork (probably Northern Germany), late 17th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-16

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Long two tined fork, rounded shoulder, elongated facetted neck. Hexagonal, pistol-shaped handle tapered with baluster joint at bolster. Handle facets engraved and punched with foliate scrolls and dots. Hexagonal knop at end of handle.

Fork (probably Northern Germany), late 17th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-16

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Integral. Saber-shaped blade, curved end. Pistol-butt handle with overall spiral pattern. End decorated with molded concentric rings and central button.

Knife, ca. 1760
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-17

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Integral. Saber-shaped blade, curved end. Pistol-butt handle with overall spiral pattern. End decorated with molded concentric rings and central button.

Knife, ca. 1760
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-17

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Fork has two tines. Scale pattern around shoulder. Baluster neck, pistol-butt handle with overall spiral pattern. End domed with molded concentric rings and central button.

Fork, ca. 1760
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-18

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Fork has two tines. Scale pattern around shoulder. Baluster neck, pistol-butt handle with overall spiral pattern. End domed with molded concentric rings and central button.

Fork, ca. 1760
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-18

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Two-tined, round shouldered. Baluster neck. Tapered beaked handle of rectangular section with cushion sides. Silver cap and end ribbed and engraved. Two horn scales; recto inlaid with silver reclining female nude and cherub in landscape; verso with standing female nude with raised parasol. Sides with silver panels engraved with twisted foliage.

Fork (Germany), ca. 1725–50
horn, silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-19

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Two-tined, round shouldered. Baluster neck. Tapered beaked handle of rectangular section with cushion sides. Silver cap and end ribbed and engraved. Two horn scales; recto inlaid with silver reclining female nude and cherub in landscape; verso with standing female nude with raised parasol. Sides with silver panels engraved with twisted foliage.

Fork (Germany), ca. 1725–50
horn, silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-19

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Two tines, rounded shoulders. Spiral neck; cast gilded bronze handle in the form of female term; lower pedestal with imbricated scale work; demi-figure with arms curved down to sides. Modeled front and back.

Fork, ca. 1550
steel, gilt-bronze, gold.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-20

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Two tines, rounded shoulders. Spiral neck; cast gilded bronze handle in the form of female term; lower pedestal with imbricated scale work; demi-figure with arms curved down to sides. Modeled front and back.

Fork, ca. 1550
steel, gilt-bronze, gold.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-20

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Long narrow pointed blade of triangular section. Diamond section handle, terminating in floral knop of three segments.

Knife (possibly England), mid-16th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-25

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Long narrow pointed blade of triangular section. Diamond section handle, terminating in floral knop of three segments.

Knife (possibly England), mid-16th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-25

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.

Small knife, pointed narrow blade of steel. Brass handle rectangular and flat, terminating in pierced fleur-de-lis. Handle originally lettered, inlaid (?) with gothic letters (now illegible).

Knife (possibly Italy), early 16th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-27

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Small knife, pointed narrow blade of steel. Brass handle rectangular and flat, terminating in pierced fleur-de-lis. Handle originally lettered, inlaid (?) with gothic letters (now illegible).

Knife (possibly Italy), early 16th century
steel, brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-27

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Cast, three-tined fork, square shoulder. Central tine elongated. Polygonal stem terminating in flat hoof-like pad.

Fork (Italy), late 17th century
bronze.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-30

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Cast, three-tined fork, square shoulder. Central tine elongated. Polygonal stem terminating in flat hoof-like pad.

Fork (Italy), late 17th century
bronze.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-30

This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
There are 2 images of this object.