Knife 18th century

This knife was made by Ephraim How, likely in Massachusetts, using silver, ivory, and steel. The handle is carved in the form of a woman. Looking closely, you can see the way the ivory lends itself to the figure's flowing lines. The carver has skillfully used the material’s density to convey a sense of volume and weight. It’s quite likely that How had experience working with wood, the most common carving material of the day, before turning to ivory. His expertise allowed him to create a handle that is both beautiful and functional. But let’s consider the wider context. Ivory was a luxury good, acquired through global trade, with all the colonial exploitation that implied. The silver, too, would have been sourced through mining. Seen in this light, this knife is more than just a refined domestic tool; it is a testament to early America’s participation in a global economy built on labor and extraction.