Knife 18th-19th century

Editor: This is "Knife" by Pratt Ropes Webb & Co. It seems to be made from metal and ivory. The knife looks quite worn. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, its materiality speaks volumes. Consider the labor involved in sourcing ivory, the industrial processes behind the metal blade. This "Knife" collapses distinctions between craft and mass production. What does its worn state suggest to you about its use and place in society? Editor: I guess it was used often. Perhaps by someone who wasn't wealthy, since it wasn't well cared for? Curator: Exactly. The knife’s condition challenges notions of pristine art objects and invites questions about class, labor, and the consumption of goods. It’s a fascinating artifact. Editor: I hadn't considered how much a simple knife could reveal. Curator: Everyday objects often hold complex narratives. Thinking about their production and use expands our understanding of art and society.