Santa Margarita Silver Fork 1983.007.0001

3D Model

This two-tined fork comes from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Santa Margarita. At 14 centimeters long, is of the proper size and design to be personal tableware. Forks were first used for eating in France and Italy the 16th century, but their use was considered by many to be excessively prim. That attitude changed at the dawn of the 17th century, as people came to realize forks made eating a much more hygienic experience. Not only did forks keep hands cleaner, but the multiple tines offered greater holding power and prevented food from rotating as bites were being carried to the mouth. Many early forks, like this example, had only two tines. It is not known if this fork was intended for shipboard meals or if it was part of a stored cargo, but the fact that it is made of silver is evidence of the abundance of the metal in Spanish South America. This fork is as it was when recovered from the sea – encrusted with a mixture of silver sulfide corrosion and calcareous concretion.