CHOPSTICKS AND KNIFE SET

Set of chopsticks and knives made of ivory, with mother-of-pearl sheath. Chopsticks are the basic instrument for food in China. They can be made from the simplest materials such as wood or bamboo, to the most sophisticated ones such as lacquer, decorated porcelain, enamel and even gold for the Imperial Court table services. It is common for them to be part of the accessories of men’s clothing along with the knife, all in a case or sheath of different materials. Lacking pockets, all the accessories necessary for daily life, from chopsticks, to monkfish, medicines, etc., each one of them in its corresponding sheath, were hung from the belt, letting the artwork of both the wrappings and the different utensils they carried be seen on both sides. I.C.F. / Extracted from: Isabel CERVERA FERNÁNDEZ: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta. Asian Art Collection. Granada, 2002.