Which lover of ancient objects hasn’t dreamed of immersing themselves in the past, scrutinizing, contemplating, and dwelling within it? Though it’s nearly impossible to fully satisfy this timeless wish, one can still savor this eternally glimpsed world. Indeed, texts are dear to a heart that yearns to wander in the imagined lands of a bygone era, but letters belong to those who read them, their reach solely imaginative. Objects, however, evoke the past through image, touch, and possession. One can hold and use a memory, make it their own, and enjoy it. This set of knives exemplifies this notion perfectly. While the French have inherited the art of entertaining, we need not envy the lavish feasts of the Renaissance, whose rise in tableware attests to their grandeur.

Rare Set of Six Knives

Indeed, the 16th century in France saw the production of table knives. In 1565, the cutlery profession became formalized when Charles IX issued Letters Patent, requiring each master to mark their work with a unique hallmark. The letter "E" stamped on each blade of our knives is the result. Initially applicable only to Parisian cutlers, these regulations quickly extended throughout the Kingdom. Furthermore, "ymagiers," artisans specializing in handle decoration, became essential, prompting the emergence of more elegant and sophisticated designs, enhanced by the use of precious materials like ivory and mother-of-pearl.

The knife became a symbol of prestige and an art object. In a courtly tradition of itinerant life, driven by travels and wars, it became customary to bring one's own table knife to display one’s wealth to other guests. Our set aligns with this lifestyle: the case offers easy transport, while the blade's shape allows for both cutting and piercing, as forks were still rare.

Rare Set of Six Knives

However, anyone wishing to imagine these culinary festivities cannot overlook the centerpiece of any gathering: conversation. For a 16th-century host, what better than to equip guests with knives whose blades bear different moral maxims, sparking lively and humorous debates?

Thus, the auction of this exceptional set will allow its future owner to revive distant celebrations, where the taste of the past will be enjoyed in the present.

Rare set of six knives with steel blades richly engraved with a quadrilobed cartouche of scrolls crowned with a winged angel’s head on a gilded background.

The spine of each blade is engraved with unique adages:

  • "Hope nourishes what fortune kills"

  • "The flame dissolves only what virtue binds"

  • "Rather die than change"

  • "Where virtue lies, fortune is deceived"

  • "In fidelity, I shall end my life"

  • "Contentment surpasses wealth"

Each blade is stamped twice with the letter "E." Acanthus leaf ferrules, mother-of-pearl handles, and gilded iron caps. Original tubular case on a foot, with a wooden core sheathed in painted leather decorated with four oval cartouches alternating portraits of men and women. France, late 16th - early 17th century. Knife length: 26.5 cm - Blade width: 2.7 cm. Case: Height: 36.5 cm - Diameter: 10.5 cm (Damages and losses).

Comparable knives with engraved gilt backgrounds and mother-of-pearl are preserved in the collections of the Louvre (No. MRR 188), the Met (No. 93.13.24), and the V&A (No. M.604-1910). The Bargello Museum in Florence displays a knife with a similar blade engraved with an adage and a comparable cartouche from the collection of Louis Carrand (Lyon, 1827–1888, Florence).

FURNITURE, SCULPTURES & ART OBJECTS

High Epoch
June 2023
Aguttes Neuilly

Expert for Furniture & Art Objects Department
Grégoire de Thoury
+33 1 41 92 06 46 • thoury@aguttes.com