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Unidentified fork shape

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Author	Topic: Unidentified fork shape
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 09-30-2003 07:43 PM [01-1234] Quite a while back, I came across this 5" fork made by Weidlich Silver Co. The "pronged bowl" intrigues me. I have always assumed it was for serving olives, but actually don't know for sure. Any suggestions? ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 09-30-2003 10:43 PM It would be nice if there were a catalog for this company that might provide the answer, or at least confirm that is is original in this form. Assuming this is sterling, have you considered the possibility that it might be a spoon cut down to the present shape? I cannot tell from the picture whether the edges of the tines are square with sharp edges, or rounded. IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 09-30-2003 11:05 PM Yes, I also wondered if this was an altered teaspoon. I have not seen this form before by any maker. IP: Logged
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 10-01-2003 05:52 AM Now, THAT is an interesting thought. I will have to dig through until I find it again and will let you know. My imnpression of this piece, when I had it in my hand, was that it wasn't altered, so any alteration had been well done and well-balanced. I'll get back to you whenever I manage to find it in my "mess". Things are in the process of being reorganized right now, and hopefully that won't be too long. ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 Registered: Apr 2000	posted 10-01-2003 04:42 PM When you find your fork, check the outer tines carefully to see if they match exactly in size and shape, and whether they look hand cut or not. Also, look at the middle tine to see if it is centered, and whether the spaces between it and the other tines are equal in width. By the time this piece was manufactured, if it was indeed made as a fork, it would likely have been completely machine-produced, and therefore there wouldn't be signs of hand making, and the tines & spaces between would all be even and symmetrical. If you find that there are differences or slight asymmetries, then I would suggest it is a later-altered piece. Something about the fork strikes me as "funny", so I think my guess is that it is a teaspoon altered at some point into some kind of serving piece. Unfortunately, this practice is currently becoming too popular--witness all of the made-up mustard ladles and "English servers" on eBay. IP: Logged
Anuh Posts: 190 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 10-01-2003 09:16 PM Thanks, Paul. I will look for those inconsistencies. These are, btw, the very things I was calling "mistakes" in another post on the Forum, when referring to handmade work. Even the markings are not consistently placed in exactly the same spot and exactly the same depth on handmade pieces. It is this that makes handwork unique. When I do find it again (as soon as I dig down through two years accumulate of stuff that I've been putting aside to auction off), I will get back with you all! ------------------ Anuh IP: Logged

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