Knife

Object Name:

Knife

Object ID:

1937.007.17

Creator:

Winter, JohnCutlery Maker

Place of Origin:

Sheffield, England

Date:

1760-1770

Description:

Knife. Silver, steel, and composition. Silver-plated sabre blade with plain bolster. Stamped silver pistol-shaped handle; with feathered borders; scrolled rococo foliage and shells at the end; seamed, soldered, and filled. "I W", in upper-case Roman letters, stamped on side of handle. One of a set of 12 forks and 12 knives contained in knife box 1937.007.01.

Material:

Metal
Silver
Steel
Composition

Dimensions:

W-0.8 L-8.1 inches

Provenance:

Owned by Theodore Atkinson IV (1697-1779). Served in the House of Representatives, and served as Chief of the Supreme Court. Colonel in the Revolutionary War. His silver collection was known throughout New Hampshire.
With no heirs, most of Theodore Atkinson's possessions were bequeathed to his cousin's son, George King (1730/34-1788), on the condition that he change his name to Atkinson. This is probably the case of silver handled knives and forks bequeathed by Susanna Atkinson (1750-1796; Mrs. George King Atkinson) to their nephew, William King Atkinson (1765-1820), in 1796.
Most of the Atkinson property was next passed down to William's daughter, Frances Atkinson Freeman (1797-1883). Donor, Miss Martha Williams Pike (1852-1938), is a granddaughter of Francis Atkinson Freeman.
Silversmith's mark, "I W", on the handle of the knives and forks; maker has not been identified. The silver-plated blades and tines were probably made in Sheffield, England; silver plating began there in 1742. These utensils predate 1773, which is when Sheffield's assay mark was established.

Credit Line:

Gift of Martha Williams Pike

People:

Atkinson, George King (1730-1788), Atkinson, Theodore (1697-1779), Atkinson, Susanna (1750-1796), Atkinson, William King (1765-1820), Atkinson, Frances (1797-1883), Pike, Martha W. (1852-1938), Winter, John

Subjects:

Consumers, Dining, Food, Trade, Imports