Nick Duggan is the project leader for Name on a Knife Blade, launched by the Hawley Tool Collection at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.
Nick writes: “The launch of the Digital Knife Wall has been postponed until a later date, but if you want a sneak preview, visit www.hawleysheffieldknives.com to see if you have your surname on a Sheffield knife.
“If you want to follow the project, you can also join the Name on a Knife Blade Facebook group.
“I thought I would share a few unusual items that might have adorned a Victorian table.
“Why did the Victorians have so many different items to choose from? Was it the clever Sheffield cutlery firms persuading people that they needed that extra item to impress the family and neighbours?
“See if you can identify the use of these items. At least half were made in Sheffield and two of them are real mystery objects as yet to be identified.”
1. Cutting remarkably
A beautifully ornate pair of scissors - what food would you tackle with them? Ref no IMG_8498 Photo: Hawley Collection
2. Shell we guess?
A beautiful piece of tableware, but what would it have been used for? Ref no P1070853 Photo: Hawley Collection
3. Forgotten fork
This piece is familiar looking but has an unusual shape. Any idea why? Ref no P1070971 Photo: Hawley Collection
4. Double dilemma
A two-pronged approach - but what for? Ref no IMG_0326 Photo: Hawley Collection