Extremely Rare Knives of the 16th Century Will Teach You How to Sing

It’s no longer exactly musical chairs, but this Renaissance-generation cutlery can deliver a tune at any table setting. Dating back to the 16th century, these extraordinarily uncommon knives are engraved with musical scores whole with lyrics. On one facet is a benediction that may have been sung earlier than a meal, after which a grace on the reverse facet that turned into sung after consuming. As an example, the knife underneath reads: “The blessing of the table. May the three-in-one bless that which we are about to eat.” And the other side reads: “The saying of grace. We give thanks to you God for your generosity.”

What isn’t clear to historians is how this can have all performed out in truth. it’d be unusual for a wealthy Italian circle of relatives who may have possessed such opulent knives to cut their own meat, the task alternatively achieved by using a square. But perhaps they had been reserved only for special ceremonies or vacations. Kristen Kalber, a curator of the Victoria and Albert Museum wherein some of these knives are saved, lays out a few theories within the video under.