Indonesian, Scottish or Something Else ?

A. G. Maisey · 15th January 2020, 01:46 AM

Antique table cutlery is one of my side interests. I am very far from expert, but I do have more than a little antique cutlery and I use it every day.

Using the Hollander collection as a reference, I'm inclined to place this knife and fork as German or Dutch, possibly 18th century. I base this guess upon overall similarity in style, not upon an exactly similar example.

Robert · 15th January 2020, 02:30 AM

As for the signature/writing you might try doing a rubbing to see if anything legible might be produced. Other than that I have nothing else to add that has not already been suggested by others.

Best,
Robert

drac2k · 15th January 2020, 01:04 PM

All very thoughtful comments, thank you; maybe it belonged to William"Bill the Butcher," from the "Gangs of New York."

Henk · 15th January 2020, 02:18 PM

Can you read the writing or rub it? It could give a hint in wich direction we have to search.

drac2k · 15th January 2020, 04:43 PM

Yes, it looks like "K.Rily 1818."

LJ · 15th January 2020, 08:10 PM

From the photos, I read the end of the inscription as July 1873, but couldn't make out what is written before "July"

Rick · 15th January 2020, 11:58 PM

Any ideas as to the type of horn?
I have seen ram's horn snuff mulls that are scotch in origin.
Maybe the type of horn could give a clue.

15th January 2020, 01:46 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	Antique table cutlery is one of my side interests. I am very far from expert, but I do have more than a little antique cutlery and I use it every day. Using the Hollander collection as a reference, I'm inclined to place this knife and fork as German or Dutch, possibly 18th century. I base this guess upon overall similarity in style, not upon an exactly similar example.

15th January 2020, 02:30 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	As for the signature/writing you might try doing a rubbing to see if anything legible might be produced. Other than that I have nothing else to add that has not already been suggested by others. Best, Robert

15th January 2020, 01:04 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	All very thoughtful comments, thank you; maybe it belonged to William"Bill the Butcher," from the "Gangs of New York."

15th January 2020, 02:18 PM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Can you read the writing or rub it? It could give a hint in wich direction we have to search.

15th January 2020, 04:43 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Yes, it looks like "K.Rily 1818."

15th January 2020, 08:10 PM	#6
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	From the photos, I read the end of the inscription as July 1873, but couldn't make out what is written before "July"

15th January 2020, 11:58 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Any ideas as to the type of horn? I have seen ram's horn snuff mulls that are scotch in origin. Maybe the type of horn could give a clue.