A couple of months ago I commissioned an eating set from Leo so I could have a portable set of cutlery when at Ren Faires. So I finally got around to getting some pictures and putting together this thread for it.

I'm pretty sure a set like this doesn't exist historically, but I wanted something compact and elegant but nonetheless something that could of been "made in the day" if someone was so inclined to want to have something like this made. I think he came up with something beautiful. He made the hand tooled case, the cutlery and the horn handles for them. I have four cutlery attachments that each can screw into any of the three handles. As you can see in the attached pictures, it came out rather nice. ;-)

On a related note, I had a problem with the set shortly after receiving it and had to send it back to Leo to have it fixed. He sent it back all fixed up and aside from shipping it didn't cost me anything additional. His customer service is outstanding and I can't recommend him enough for making custom historical pieces that are both artistically beautiful, functional and have that "look" of authenticity to them. I really like his work and look forward to having him do more of it for me in the future.

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All components in their case

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Everything laid out

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Spoon, Fork and Knife

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Prickler, Spoon and Knife

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Case Closed

That is extraordinarily cool. I'm a big fan of eating sets, for some reason unknown to me, and that is a fine example.

Thanks for the chance to make the set, and as you intimated is rather tricky.........

However Bryce Felperin wrote

Quote:

I'm pretty sure a set like this doesn't exist historically, but I wanted something compact and elegant but nonetheless something that could of been "made in the day" if someone was so inclined to want to have something like this made.

Well actually it is very closely based on an historical example, I can't post a picture for copyright reasons, but the accompanying text reads "Early travelling cutlery canteen circa 1590 which belonged to Louise de Lorrayne with ivory barley twist hasfts and threaded tangs for the silver spoon and steel knife and fork (from Tregallas, 1875)"

The case is a little different in the historical piece and the fork is 3 tined rather than 2, but otherwise it is a pretty good following of the original piece. Why people felt they needed a compact screw together set when they would clearly have servants to deal with their items escapes me - I guess historically we were suckers for gadgets too. I have a fantastic picture of the most extraordinary spoon in enamel and gilt, that is even more amazing when you realise the handle is telescopic like a car aerial - gadgets.

Tod

That is a wonderful set indeed> Now I want to see some pics of you in period clobber tucking into some charred animal !



Cheers

Jason

You may be aware of Prince Charles Edward Stuart's silver travelling canteen. The kit contains 31 separate pieces which fit very well into the outer case. Its in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. The details are in a booklet "I am come home" available from the museum.