Tortoise Shell Traveling Knife and Chopstick Set

This elegant set of eating utensils dates to the mid-19th century and would have accompanied a well-to-do traveler on a long cross-country journey. The set includes a pair of ivory chopsticks and a long blade with tortoise shell handle, both stored in a beautiful scabbard of tortoise shell, brass, and ivory. Portable sets of eating utensils such as this were used by long distance travelers, especially in the nomadic cultures of northern China, Mongolia, and Tibet. We've elevated this Qing-dynasty traveling set on a custom steel mount for display as a storied sculptural object.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.