The commontable fork was unknown to the ancient people. Nothing to resemble it has ever been found in all the archilogiacal digs by explorer’s. The fork was probably first used by the Italians about the end of the 15th century.
At first, they had only two prongs or tines and were always made of Iron. Today we have anywhere from two to five prongs or tines on our forks and they are made of every known maleable metal.
The oldest carving fork is still preserved in the Castle pan. It formorly belonged to Henry IV, of France. Coryates “Book of Crudities”, published in 1611 makes the first distinct mention of the use of forks.
Speaking of the travels of Italy, he says “I observed a custom in the Italian cities through which I passed that is not used in any other country through which I have traveled.
They do always when at their meals use a little fork when they cut their meats. This form of feeding I understand is general throughout the Kingdom, both among natives and strangers dwelling in those parts.