Vork met twee tanden; steel met een lange, zich naar het uiteinde verjongende naald. c. 1650

This two-pronged fork was made by Johannes Calkoen in the 17th century from gold. It's a curious object, seemingly elevated by its precious material. The making of this fork involves both subtractive and additive techniques. The metal would have been cast, then shaped and refined by hammering, filing, and polishing. Notice the level of detail achieved. The handle flares into a decorative section, before tapering to a needle point. While functional, this fork speaks more of status and display. Gold was, and remains, a potent symbol of wealth and power. The meticulous labor required to craft this fork would have been a display of skill. It serves as a reminder that even the simplest tool can become a vehicle for social and cultural expression, blurring the lines between craft, design, and fine art.