In
today’s society, the use of cutlery is not just simply for preparing, serving
and eating food but has almost become a necessity to make a fashion statement
for even the most modest home. No dinner party is complete with a stunning set
of fine cutlery.
The
word ‘cutlery’ is derived from the name given to a person who makes knives also
known as a cutler and the earliest example of a piece of cutlery can be traced
back as far as 500,000 BC, however these tended to be flints, slate and bone
simply used to tear food before eating. The first use of a tool more resembling
a knife which we would use today was discovered to be from 2000 BC.
The
earliest example of a tool resembling a spoon is a clay piece found said to be
dated back to 5000 BC. The fork on the other hand was not used until much later
and the earliest form was not found at a dinner table until the 17th
century. During the 18th century, the best cutlery was made from silver;
however silver became increasingly hard to come by since most of it had been melted
down after the Civil War. This meant only the richest of homes contained silver
cutlery hence the connection between fine cutlery and wealth.
When
new methods of steelmaking emerged in the mid 19th century, mild
steel became readily available and so was extensively used for the creation of
cutlery. Therefore the production of silver cutlery remained low making it a
luxury item and could only be bought by the wealthiest of people. In the 20th
Century, the invention of stainless steel provided the cutlery industry with
the perfect medium between steel and silver. Stainless steel was durable, did
not react with the atmosphere and allowed the cheap production of high quality
cutlery.
Now
in 21st Century, silver cutlery is much more wildly used however usually
for use on special occasions rather than or in addition to people’s ‘everyday’
cutlery set. The cutlery tends to be silver plated rather than solid silver in
order to make it more affordable. Silver remains the most durable choice for
cutlery and the best treatment for them is constant use. When consistently
used, the silver takes on a patina from the oxidisation that occurs when it
reacts with the elements which, enhances its appearance.
The
silver cutlery available today tends to fall into two categories; traditional
and contemporary. A fine example of high quality cutlery would be the Arthur Price cutlery range.
With a wide variety of both traditional styles and modern designs, this high
quality product has been in production for over 100 years. Their variety
includes the classic rattail
cutlery range and bead
cutlery with their distinct parish design.
About
Table Top Traders: We are a Weymouth-based company that specialise in trading
luxury cutlery and kitchenware online. We strive on improving customer choice
and offer quality goods like Arthur Price
cutlery, Roy Kirkham, Dartington, Caithness, Chasseur, Royal Brierley and Amefa to name but a few.