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Fork with Mule-Head Finial — Italy, Roman

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Written by: Yuki WhitfieldContributing Writer · Furniture & Decorative Arts
Antiquities · Catalogue no. 9598
Italy, Roman

Fork with Mule-Head Finial

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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This two-tined silver fork has a faceted handle that terminates in a mule head, perhaps a nod to its use for meat— whether cooking, serving, or eating. Forks from the premodern Mediterranean are rare, only known through a small number of surviving examples. Extant forks are relatively large and often bronze, making this silver example still more rare.

Artist / MakerItaly, Roman
Date375–425 CE
Culture / OriginItaly, Roman
Mediumsilver
DimensionsOverall: 0.5 x 20.4 cm (3/16 x 8 1/16 in.)
DepartmentGreek and Roman Art
TypeMetalwork
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Provenance & Source

Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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