Sunday, May 31, 2015

Arcane Dining Oddities: Poseidon's Trident? Devilish Pitchfork?

Chronica Domus
Can you guess the purpose of this fork?
Photo: Chronica Domus


Hot on the heels of Lindaraxa's marvelous post about a mystery dining implement that she so deliciously teased her loyal readers with - and quite frankly left this author befuddled and on the edge of her seat awaiting the big reveal - comes a mystery object from my own collection.

I have toyed with the idea of publishing a post on my Poseidon's trident (or would that be a devilish pitchfork?) for a number of weeks now and Lindaraxa's tantalizing conundrum finally provided the impetus I sought to get my act in gear.  I suspect, like me, you too may enjoy a little puzzle to rattle your gray matter.

Admittedly, the task of this treasured little item delivers something far less exotic to hungry diners at table than Lindaraxa's fork.  The trident is made of sterling silver and is mounted to a faux-ivory handle by way of a decorative collar.  Aside from this minor decoration, the seven and a half inch utensil is really rather spare, which to my eye makes it all the more appealing.

I espied my mystery object laying in a glass case of an antiques shop in England about a dozen years ago. When I asked the assistant what it was that I was looking at, and she enlightened me, well, there was really only one thing for it.  I had to have it.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus

Can you guess the purpose of this fork?  Remember, no cheating through the use of your search engine now!


14 comments:

  1. Is this for holding the roast beef stable while carving? It is a beautiful.

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  2. I meant "It is a beautiful serving piece."

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  3. Well I'm thinking it has to be beef related too; too heavy artillery for anything else.

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  4. Yes, I would have thought it was a carving fork. But I am completely uneducated on antiques of all sort.

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  5. *Hand waving* I know this one! I have one too.. it's a bread fork. But I use mine instead for serving cold meats (ham etc) off a platter when I'm doing a casual lunch. Very handy size… at first I'd thought it was a pickle fork, but they're all a lot smaller so I was a bit stumped until I googled and worked it out. Mine also has an ivorine handle (or bakelite… not sure), but is EPNS so not so beautiful as yours!

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  6. Like Heidi, I too have one of these silver bread forks. The handle of mine is antler.

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  7. Hello CD, It looks like a bread-serving fork. Of course, I am sure a number of these pinch-hit for carving or other uses, especially with straight tines and as well made as your example.
    --Jim

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  8. I would have said fork as being a fork! hehe
    But yours is so lovely CD!

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  9. Is it for bread? not sure why I think that....I've never seen one of these before - so intriguing!

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  10. In the interest of fair play, I had no idea. I would have said a carving fork, but that would be too obvious. If it is what some have guessed I have never seen or used one. It is gorgeous CD. good one!

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  11. First I thought toasting fork but it isn't long enough - then I though pickle fork but it is too big, then I though a for the Sunday joint but it is too wide - so I'm stumped.

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  12. CD,
    I don't have a guess but I think I might use it as a meat fork! I love these educational quizzes.
    xo,
    Karen

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Please do leave a comment as I enjoy the dialogue with my readership, thank you.

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