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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Silver fork has three curved tines, curved shoulders and flat tapering neck with diamond-shaped decoration at back of join. Plain rectangular ferrule. Pistol-shaped handle of carved ivory with beaded cresting on the top of the handle and halfway on one side. End of handle carved on the front and back with snail-shell and drop-shaped ornaments.

Fork (France), ca. 1798–1809
ivory, silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-198

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

Small oval spoon bowl, rattail on the back of bowl; flat stem, drop bolster. Plain rectangular ferrule, pistol-shaped handle of carved ivory with beaded cresting on top of handle and halfway on one side. End of handle carved on front and back with snail-shell and drop-shaped ornaments.

Spoon (France), ca. 1798–1809
ivory, silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-199

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

Small oval spoon bowl, rattail on the back of bowl; flat stem, drop bolster. Plain rectangular ferrule, pistol-shaped handle of carved ivory with beaded cresting on top of handle and halfway on one side. End of handle carved on front and back with snail-shell and drop-shaped ornaments.

Spoon (France), ca. 1798–1809
ivory, silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-199

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

Case for three implements, oval in section. Green painted shark skin. Lid attached to body with hinge and lock. Silver mounts. Inside covered with red silk.

Case (France), ca. 1798–1809
shagreen (shark skin), silver, silk, copper.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-200

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

Case for three implements, oval in section. Green painted shark skin. Lid attached to body with hinge and lock. Silver mounts. Inside covered with red silk.

Case (France), ca. 1798–1809
shagreen (shark skin), silver, silk, copper.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-200

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

Two long curved tines, waisted shoulders, baluster neck. Silver ferrule, banded with scalloped edge. Pistol-shaped handle, earthenware, white ground with floral sprays in blue, yellow, green and purple. Small metal cap at the end of the handle.

Fork (probably France), ca. 1760–70
steel, silver, earthenware.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-212

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

Two long curved tines, waisted shoulders, baluster neck. Silver ferrule, banded with scalloped edge. Pistol-shaped handle, earthenware, white ground with floral sprays in blue, yellow, green and purple. Small metal cap at the end of the handle.

Fork (probably France), ca. 1760–70
steel, silver, earthenware.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-212

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

Three curved tines, waisted shoulder, and baluster-shaped neck. Banded silver ferrule. Pistol-shaped white porcelain handle, decorated with raised scrollwork and floral sprays on front and back in yellow, blue, red, green, pink and purple. Small silver cap at the end of the handle.

Fork with Porcelain Handle Fork, ca. 1765–70
steel, silver, porcelain.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-214

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

Three curved tines, waisted shoulder, and baluster-shaped neck. Banded silver ferrule. Pistol-shaped white porcelain handle, decorated with raised scrollwork and floral sprays on front and back in yellow, blue, red, green, pink and purple. Small silver cap at the end of the handle.

Fork with Porcelain Handle Fork, ca. 1765–70
steel, silver, porcelain.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-214

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

Leaf-shaped gilded blade, plain bolster. Banded ferrule, white porcelain handle, rectangular in section with polychrome decoration of birds on branches and butterflies, surrounded by a decorative pattern in gold.

Knife with Porcelain Handle Knife, 1850–1900
porcelain, gilding, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-224

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

Leaf-shaped gilded blade, plain bolster. Banded ferrule, white porcelain handle, rectangular in section with polychrome decoration of birds on branches and butterflies, surrounded by a decorative pattern in gold.

Knife with Porcelain Handle Knife, 1850–1900
porcelain, gilding, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-224

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

Blade slightly curved upper edge, lower edge tapering towards the point. Plain silver ferrule. Tapering octagonal white porcelain handle decorated with kakiemon design in yellow, blue and green (underglaze) and brown-red (overglaze). Rounded silver cap at the top of the handle.

Knife (France), ca. 1735–40
porcelain, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-231

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

Blade slightly curved upper edge, lower edge tapering towards the point. Plain silver ferrule. Tapering octagonal white porcelain handle decorated with kakiemon design in yellow, blue and green (underglaze) and brown-red (overglaze). Rounded silver cap at the top of the handle.

Knife (France), ca. 1735–40
porcelain, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-231

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

Sabre-shaped blade. Handle straight-sided, flaring towards the end. Engraved floral decoration with a lion in the cartouche on front and back. Diamond-shaped pattern along the sides. Blade folds into handle.

Folding Knife (Germany), ca. 1700
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-246

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

Sabre-shaped blade. Handle straight-sided, flaring towards the end. Engraved floral decoration with a lion in the cartouche on front and back. Diamond-shaped pattern along the sides. Blade folds into handle.

Folding Knife (Germany), ca. 1700
silver, steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-246

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

Oval spoon bowl, rattail and engraved decoration on back of spoon. Flat handle, flaring towards the end. Hinged, small sliding band. Handle has engraved floral decoartion on front and back with a lion in a cartouche on the back.

Folding Spoon (Germany), ca. 1700
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-247

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

Oval spoon bowl, rattail and engraved decoration on back of spoon. Flat handle, flaring towards the end. Hinged, small sliding band. Handle has engraved floral decoartion on front and back with a lion in a cartouche on the back.

Folding Spoon (Germany), ca. 1700
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-247

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

Fork has four curved tines, curved shoulders. Flat handle flaring towards the end. Hinge and small sliding band. Handle has engraved floral decoration on front and back, with a lion in a cartouche on the back of the handle.

Folding Fork (Germany), ca. 1700
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-248

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

Fork has four curved tines, curved shoulders. Flat handle flaring towards the end. Hinge and small sliding band. Handle has engraved floral decoration on front and back, with a lion in a cartouche on the back of the handle.

Folding Fork (Germany), ca. 1700
silver.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-248

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

Small case for six implements, stamped leather with scrolled decoration in gold. Case consists of two parts, body and lid, held together with a cord.

Case (Northern Italy), early 17th century
leather, gilding, cotton cord.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-a

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

Small case for six implements, stamped leather with scrolled decoration in gold. Case consists of two parts, body and lid, held together with a cord.

Case (Northern Italy), early 17th century
leather, gilding, cotton cord.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-a

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

Oval rat-tail spoon bowl with round neck and screw-thread.

Spoon Bowl (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-b

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

Oval rat-tail spoon bowl with round neck and screw-thread.

Spoon Bowl (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-b

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

Plain straight handle with finial on top, can be screwed on to spoon bowl.

Spoon Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-c

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

Plain straight handle with finial on top, can be screwed on to spoon bowl.

Spoon Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-c

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

Waisted steel handle inlaid with mother-of-pearl, four rivets and finial on top. Handle can be screwed on blade.

Knife Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel, mother-of-pearl.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-d

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

Waisted steel handle inlaid with mother-of-pearl, four rivets and finial on top. Handle can be screwed on blade.

Knife Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel, mother-of-pearl.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-d

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

Slightly curved upper edge, lower edge curving towards the point. Screw thread at the end of the blade.

Knife Blade (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-e

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

Slightly curved upper edge, lower edge curving towards the point. Screw thread at the end of the blade.

Knife Blade (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-e

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

Waisted handle inlaid with mother-of-pearl, four rivets and finial on top of handle, can be screwed on to fork.

Fork Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel, mother-of-pearl.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-f

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

Waisted handle inlaid with mother-of-pearl, four rivets and finial on top of handle, can be screwed on to fork.

Fork Handle (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel, mother-of-pearl.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-f

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

Three straight tines, rounded shoulders and plain tapering neck with screw thread.

Fork Tines (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-g

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

Three straight tines, rounded shoulders and plain tapering neck with screw thread.

Fork Tines (Northern Italy), early 17th century
steel.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-253-g

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

Oval-shaped rattail spoonbowl. Flat, slightly curved neck with hinge and small sliding sleeve. Flat handle with trifid end. Engraved with v-shaped pattern at the front and back of neck. The handle is engraved on both sides with stylized leaves and fruits. The bowl bends forward.

Folding Spoon (Germany), ca. 1700–10
brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-262

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

Oval-shaped rattail spoonbowl. Flat, slightly curved neck with hinge and small sliding sleeve. Flat handle with trifid end. Engraved with v-shaped pattern at the front and back of neck. The handle is engraved on both sides with stylized leaves and fruits. The bowl bends forward.

Folding Spoon (Germany), ca. 1700–10
brass.
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg.
1985-103-262

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