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This is a knife and fork storage box, designed to hang on a wall. Its front is decorated with a marquetry image of a knife and fork. It probably dates from the mid-nineteenth century, and would likely have been used in a farmhouse kitchen. The donor used it in Astwood Bank, Worcetershire, and originally bought it in c.1907 from a second hand shop in Retford, Nottinghamshire; nothing is known of its history before that.

1 knife box: wood; good condition

MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Knife Box // Mid or late C19 // Hinges suggest date after 1850, but owner claims mid C18. // Bought in Retford. // [pencil sketch] // Age // about 200 years. // I think you can estimate the age better than I can. The 2 pronged fork + the simple knife should be clues. // I bought it about 50 years ago in a second hand shop in Retford. // I should think it was in use in a farmhouse kitchen-dining room...', MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Description // Designed to hand on wall. Knife + fork box - decorated lif with knife + fork. // Dimensions // Length 44.5cm, width 17cm height 14cm. // Associated information // Mid to late C19. Bought in Retford.'

1850-01-01 - 1899-12-31

Nineteenth century, second half

Box, knife, Box, fork