Treen Carved Bread Knife ‘Bread’

Victorian

Circa 1860–1900 | England

An antique Victorian bread knife with steel blade (see The Gen). The handle is carved with a banner which encloses the word “Bread” in gothic script surrounded by wheatsheaves and has a finial end. The handle retains its deep, and still crisp, carving throughout the decoration and motto. Ever so faintly evident on the steel blade the word ‘Bread’ and perhaps ‘knife’ are engraved in gothic script which are now lost to the passing of time.

DIMENSIONS: Length 33.5 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Attribution of bread knives is difficult as the industry of carving breadboards and knives was prolific during the Victorian era with many makers.

However, ever so faintly evident on the steel blade are the words ‘Bread Knife’ engraved in gothic script which are now lost to the passing of time (see The Gen). 

CONDITION: In excellent condition. The handle and blade have a lovely patina developed through the many years of handling and use. These all add to the history of the piece and wonder of the stories it could tell.

REFERENCES: For examples of similar knives see Vintage Breadboards, Madeleine Neave, Prospect Books, 2019, pp 201–203.

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THE GEN

“The bread knife handle began as a traditional 18th century pattern for any multi-purpose kitchen knife, so cutlers were creating a seemingly new line but without any major innovations. The question why clients wanted to buy a bread knife devoted to bread remains, but we can speculate it started with the Corn Laws bumping up the price of bread. This then drove the need to show it off nicely. We cannot be sure what came first, the breadboard or bread knife, but these knives make one wonder if the knife didn’t come first, then clients wanted to upgrade their plain old chopping boards. Possibly, cutting bread had been a kitchen job, but once bread became expensive, it might have been brought front-of-house to be on show, and thus more elegant presentation was required.” (Vintage Breadboards, Madeleine Neave, Prospect Books, 2019, p. 109)

“Wing never used ferrules on his own knives in his catalogue because he would have made sure all components fitted snuggly. Where the blade stamp is identical to the catalogue—marked simply ‘Bread Knife’—it is assumed these were assembled in-house in Sheffield.” (Vintage Breadboards, Madeleine Neave, Prospect Books, 2019, p. 202)

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