Fork Handle with Queen Mary II of England (1662-1692) 1689 - 1702

This fork handle depicting Queen Mary II of England was carved from ivory by an anonymous artist. The figure of the Queen is structured within a strict symmetrical form, her frontal pose lending the work a certain rigidity. The handle presents a study in contrasts: the smooth, polished surface of the ivory against the detailed, textured carving of her dress and hair. The anonymous artist employed a hierarchy of scale, enlarging the Queen’s head, perhaps to emphasize her status and project power. This deliberate distortion destabilizes the conventional representation of the human form, inviting consideration of the symbolic function of portraiture. The handle transcends its utilitarian purpose. It becomes an object imbued with socio-political meaning, reflecting both the Queen's public image and the sculptor's engagement with representation. The choice of ivory, with its connotations of luxury and trade, further complicates the discourse surrounding this object, positioning it within a network of cultural and economic exchanges.