Twelve pairs of knives and forks 1725 - 1735

These twelve pairs of knives and forks, crafted in Vienna, present more than mere dining implements; they are symbols of culture and refinement. The floral motifs adorning the handles echo the same naturalism found in ancient Roman friezes, reflecting a longing for a golden age of elegance and order. Consider how the knife, a tool of both creation and destruction, has been mythologized across cultures, from sacrificial rites to kitchen rituals. Similarly, the fork, initially a symbol of aristocratic excess, evolved into an emblem of domesticity and civility. These utensils are more than tools; they are loaded with the weight of shared cultural experience, embodying the collective memory of countless meals and social interactions, a powerful force that speaks to our subconscious desires and fears. As such, these knives and forks remind us that even the most mundane objects can become potent carriers of cultural meaning, their symbolism resurrected and reinterpreted across the ages.