Knife (one of set of six)

1760-1800

Measurements

8-1/4 in x 7/8 in x 1/2 in

Materials

Steel and bone

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3984

Inscription

“SHEAR STEEL” is stamped into one side of the knife blade on each knife.

Condition Notes

All of the knives except accession no. 1959.3984.6 have partial splits in the handles. Accession no. 1959.3984.3 has a small piece missing from the handle at the split.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The flat knife blade has a rounded tip.  The handle tang passes through a bone handle which is held in place by a domed oval washer or “rove” that is peened in place.  The bone handle is decorated with cross-hatched and herringbone incised lines and stained green.  The knife blade is stamped “SHEAR STEEL”, referencing a process of making steel especially suitable for cutting blades.

The handle fabrication and decoration parallels that on a set of six forks (accession no. 1959.3895), which are likely made en suite.