Today's gastronomic culture could hardly be more different from that of our ancestors. Though it has to be said that the practice of eating hamburgers with our hands reminds us very literally of the customs and traditions of the Middle Ages and earlier. Cutlery has also undergone a considerable evolution too. Knives have always been around, however, and have always been used to cut and spear meat. Spoons were originally only used for serving, and in the west the use of the fork - a custom born in Byzantium which came to Europe via venice - was initially even considered to be ill-mannered! It goes without saying that a set of cutlery comprises more than just a knife, fork and spoon. As dishes became more varied, new implements were added to the range of tableware. In this unique book, a catalogue of the J. Hollander Collection - the most important in the field - the history of tableware and cutlery is illustrated by over 600 colour plates and hundreds of silver marks.