Description
RARE SET OF SIX STEEL BLADE KNIVES richly engraved with a four-lobed cartouche of foliage surmounted by a winged angel's head on a gold background. The back of each blade is engraved with different adages: - Espoir nourrit se que fortune tue - La flame ne dissout se que la vertu lie - Plustost mourir que changer - Ou vertu git fortune est abusée - En fidélité finirai ma vie - Contentemet passe richesse Each blade is stamped twice with the letter E. Acanthus-leaf ferrules, mother-of-pearl handles and gilded wrought-iron capitals. Original tubular case on stand, with wooden core sheathed in painted leather decorated with four oval cartouches alternating portraits of men and women. France, late 16th century, early 17th century. Length of each knife: 26.5 cm Blade width: 2.7 cm Case: Height: 36.5 cm - Diameter: 10.5 cm (Damage and missing parts) Knife models with comparable engraved decoration on a gold background and use of mother-of-pearl are now in the collections of the Louvre (no. MRR 188), the Met (no. 93.13.24) and the V&A (no. M.604-1910). The Bargello Museum in Florence exhibits a knife with an identical blade, similarly engraved with an adage, and with the same entablure decoration, from the collection of Louis Carrand (Lyon, 1827 - 1888, Florence). The 16th century saw the rise of table knives in France. In 1565, the cutlery profession was organized with the publication of Lettres Patentes by Charles IX. These required each master to mark his work with a hallmark of his own, explaining the letter E on each blade of our knives. These statutes, applicable only to Parisian cutlers, were quickly extended. The proliferation of "ymagiers", craftsmen specialized in handle decoration, also favored the emergence of more elegant and sophisticated shapes, enhanced by the use of precious materials such as ivory and mother-of-pearl. Now an objet d'art, the knife also became a mark of prestige. As the Court was itinerant and life was punctuated by travel and war, it was customary to bring one's own table knife, a privileged accessory for showing off one's wealth to other guests. Our set fits perfectly into this art of living. The sheath makes it easy to carry, while the inscription of the sayings must have been the subject of many a lively discussion over meals such as France knew how to give.
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RARE SET OF SIX STEEL BLADE KNIVES richly engraved with a four-lobed cartouche of foliage surmounted by a winged angel's head on a gold background. The back of each blade is engraved with different adages: - Espoir nourrit se que fortune tue - La flame ne dissout se que la vertu lie - Plustost mourir que changer - Ou vertu git fortune est abusée - En fidélité finirai ma vie - Contentemet passe richesse Each blade is stamped twice with the letter E. Acanthus-leaf ferrules, mother-of-pearl handles and gilded wrought-iron capitals. Original tubular case on stand, with wooden core sheathed in painted leather decorated with four oval cartouches alternating portraits of men and women. France, late 16th century, early 17th century. Length of each knife: 26.5 cm Blade width: 2.7 cm Case: Height: 36.5 cm - Diameter: 10.5 cm (Damage and missing parts) Knife models with comparable engraved decoration on a gold background and use of mother-of-pearl are now in the collections of the Louvre (no. MRR 188), the Met (no. 93.13.24) and the V&A (no. M.604-1910). The Bargello Museum in Florence exhibits a knife with an identical blade, similarly engraved with an adage, and with the same entablure decoration, from the collection of Louis Carrand (Lyon, 1827 - 1888, Florence). The 16th century saw the rise of table knives in France. In 1565, the cutlery profession was organized with the publication of Lettres Patentes by Charles IX. These required each master to mark his work with a hallmark of his own, explaining the letter E on each blade of our knives. These statutes, applicable only to Parisian cutlers, were quickly extended. The proliferation of "ymagiers", craftsmen specialized in handle decoration, also favored the emergence of more elegant and sophisticated shapes, enhanced by the use of precious materials such as ivory and mother-of-pearl. Now an objet d'art, the knife also became a mark of prestige. As the Court was itinerant and life was punctuated by travel and war, it was customary to bring one's own table knife, a privileged accessory for showing off one's wealth to other guests. Our set fits perfectly into this art of living. The sheath makes it easy to carry, while the inscription of the sayings must have been the subject of many a lively discussion over meals such as France knew how to give.
