Rare Italian Renaissance Silver Fork

Code: 10569

This is a fabulous Renaissance silver fork, dating to the late 16th - early 17th century A.D. This example bears a Caryatid finial, it bears an owners initials of G.G. along with a set of hallmarks from Venice. The fork bears a label from an old collection "c.f. N. Shopland Archaeological finds p.166 (illus)". Such a fine eating utensil would have been owned by a very wealthy merchant or aristocrat in Italy.  

OBJECT: Caryatid Top Fork

CULTURE: Renaissance

DATE: c. 1580 - 1620 A.D.

MATERIAL: Silver

SIZE:  15.58mm x 14.96mm x 8.65mm

WEIGHT:  33.9 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. Private Collection, Florida (USA)