‘Iona Nunnery’ Fork

The design of this fork is based on a number of spoons that were discovered under the floor of St Ronan’s Chapel at Iona Nunnery which date from the 13th century.

Alexander Ritchie, the celebrated Scottish Arts & Crafts maker, was inspired by the spoons and incorporated the design into a fork. It was made by the Birmingham silversmithing firm William H. Darby. Mr Darby visited Alexander Ritchie and his wife, Euphemia’s, Celtic Art shop on the island of Iona (west coast of Scotland) and subsequently became a longstanding business link. His firm carried out the production of jewellery from the Ritchie masters thereby supporting the spread of the Celtic Revival movement during the first half of the twentieth century.

The fork design is featured in a book on ‘Iona Celtic Art: The Works of Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie’ by E. Mairi MacArthur, p.51.

Condition:

Excellent

Dimensions:

Length 14.5cm

Max width 1.6cm

Weight 17.4g