Eating utensils

[ameling]

"Archeological digs at Los Adaes--a Louisiana frontier fort of the 1716-1760s period turned up numerous examples of china and silverware, including a four tined fork."

I recently was asked to replicate several of these 4-tined iron forks (based on the museum's picture on their web site http://www.crt.state.la.us/siteexplorer/_html/index.htm ) for a gentleman from Texas. He was well pleased with my humble work, as was his wife (something to do with the good silverware migrating to the camping gear). It was an interesting project, and another little "detail" along this historical journey. Now I just have to finish the two for myself.

Mikey - out tinkering in the Hinterlands

p.s. Yes, it is amazing how many of the current patterns of silverware/tableware go well back into the Colonial period. Just choose your pattern carefully, and stay away from the stainless steel ones - especially those with bamboo handles.
:wink:

 

[mmahlock]

Interesting artifact. I couldn't help noting the description,

The forks used by the Spanish at Los Adaes were very similar to the forks we use today, and could have been used to put food directly in the mouth. This fork is 18 cm (7 inches) long, which is about the size of a modern fork. The British fork of the 1700s was different and had two very sharp tines to hold food while it was being cut. The British used a rounded knife to put food into their mouths instead of the fork.

I'm not sure where this conception comes from. As I noted above and have had reinforced time and time again, the British have used four tined forks and silverware very comparable to todays for a considerable time including much of the 18th C. The reference may be to the lower classes but then as today it did not take long for the current style to trickle down to the lowest levels of society very quickly. Just a thought but, the British also used larger two tined forks for holding meat while carving just as we do today. It may be that this is the fork everyone seems to confuse with eating forks.

Having said all this, I easily understand the use of "primitive" two tined forks for those on the frontier and those having little or no money as they are easy to make from a variety of materials.

 

[Claude Mathis]

Both the Fork and Knife sections of this site offer some interesting comments.
[url] http://www.calacademy.org/research/anthropology/utensil/forks.htm[/url]

 

[Blacksmith]

Howdy. I'm kinda new here. There have been references to "ironware" utensils and in the past times, no doubt the tools (utensils as well) were made from wrought iron (with perhaps some steel welded in for bit on axe, hawk or even knife). It is ABSOLUTELY possible that there are folks forging utensils from iron today but they would be few and far between I think. Most will be forged from steel as Iron has not been in production ( commercially ) for long time. I have a freind that collects iron and sells it for forging. This ain't a shot over anybody's bow or anything, just passin on some information. Most people think they are buying wrought iron stuff at Wal Mart or anywhere else when it fact it is steel. I have enjoyed this thread. Horn and wood work well. So does bone but I wouldn't use it for eating utensils. Guess my pic don't show anymore. Oh Well.

 

[almrl]

As I noted above and have had reinforced time and time again, the British have used four tined forks and silverware very comparable to todays for a considerable time including much of the 18th C. The reference may be to the lower classes but then as today it did not take long for the current style to trickle down to the lowest levels of society very quickly.

Just a side note: Reay Tannahill's (sp) book "Food in History" describes how the British "lower classes" would spend their hard-earned shillings on tea and white bread to emulate the "upper classes. Big mistake! Their previous diet of beer and dark bread supplied nutrients that the more expensive tea and white bread lacked.

If they emulated the diet of the aristocracy why not the eating utensils?

Old Coot

 

[PreglerD]

While "playing" a imigrant from Germany, living in the Mohawk Valley asa hunter and being member of the 14th Albany County Militia I only have a wooden spoon and my hunting knife. Further more a tin cup and plate. These items I use to eat my hardtacks, jerkey, salted pork. Think it is p/c.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Blizzard of '93]

that's roughing it maybe a little too much Kirrmeister. they did have Irish potatos, dried beans, corn meal(for mush), dried fruits (and veggies) and of course cabbage and beets/turnips available at season.

 

[Poor Private]

I reenact civil war, and what everyone there says is correct is 3 tined forks with wood pinned handles. Spoons look just as today looks and knives are your choice.

 

[PreglerD]

that's roughing it maybe a little too much Kirrmeister. they did have Irish potatos, dried beans, corn meal(for mush), dried fruits (and veggies) and of course cabbage and beets/turnips available at season.

What are Irish potatoes? Some kind of sweet potatoes?

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[Bon Sauvage]

Kirrmeister an Irish potato is your white potato (Solanum tuberosum) Regards, Ogre

 

[Blizzard of '93]

good to eat fried, baked, steamed(parboiled) or roasted. real good with venison stew along with carrots and onion and garlic.

 

[shmrck1]

Kirrmeister,
I sure don't want to get into a history
lesson here,but the Irish potatoe is most
likely the reason I am here and not living
in Ireland. There was a potatoe fammin in
Ireland in the late 1800's and 100,000's
of Irish moved to America under great hardships.
Many more to Austrailia under even harder conditions. Now we know that it was not so much
a fammin but the fact the Brits were taking,
tons of potatoes and other foods out of Ireland,
to support troops in Africa and India.
Just some thoughts from a proud American mick.
By the way Kirrmeister,I believe it was
your countrymen that established the Idaho
potatoe in the N.W. US.
snake-eyes :surrender: