Musketvork, een arm ontbreekt c. 1590 - 1596

This iron musket fork, with one arm missing, resides in the Rijksmuseum and was made by an anonymous maker. Consider the lives touched by such a tool: those who wielded muskets in defense or aggression, and the unseen hands that forged them. It brings to mind a time of conflict and conquest, a history often told through the lens of power, but what about those whose stories are less visible? This simple object speaks volumes about identity and agency. Who were the people behind the muskets, and what choices did they have? It is a tangible link to our past, reminding us of the complex relationships between individuals and the forces that shape their lives. This fork, a symbol of strength and vulnerability, connects us to histories both personal and universal.