Expert: Martin G Roberts - 12/23/2005

Question
I am wondering what an Elizabethan table knife would look like? I have a pewter knife that came in a box of odds and ends from a yard sale... It appears to have been made in a mould, handle and blade are all one piece, the blade is blunt and rounded on the end, the handle is decorated with ornate scroll work ...stylized leaves, vines, and Cee shapes that remind me a bit of sea shells. The blade is a bit wavy having no doubt been used to pry something open. The handle has the same scroll work on both sides. It is a small knife or butter spreader how can I tell if it is modern or antique? I have surfed the web for several years now looking for something like it and have not been able to find anything. There are no monograms or makers marks of any kind on it. Perhaps you can suggest a referrence book that would help me identify my knife. Thank you.  

Answer
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I will keep this short. The likelihood of it being Elizabethan is almost zero - you are suggesting that by chance you have acquired a knife from c1580.

It is not pewter - pewter is a soft metal totally unsuitable for making blades.

There are plenty of reference works on antique cutlery, and plenty illustrated on the web. Try a bit harder.