Knife Fork Spoon: Modernist Cutlery 1900-2025

A stunning compendium of modernist and modernist-inspired cutlery, from such legendary designers as Gio Ponti, Isamu Noguchi and Carlo Scarpa

Cutlery is an intimate part of our daily lives, a universal touchpoint that crosses cultures and generations. From the early 1900s to today, modern flatware has become far more than a tool. It is a testament to how design, technology, and culture both reflect and shape the way we live. In this unprecedented compendium of over 500 designs--the most comprehensive book available on the topic--the often-overlooked artistry of flatware takes center stage, revealing how designers reinvented these humble items in response to new materials, social change and evolving aesthetics.
Organized chronologically, Knife Fork Spoon presents iconic flatware by designers such as Josef Hoffmann, Russel Wright, Gio Ponti and Isamu Noguchi, as well as highlighting lesser-known and experimental designs from Europe, the United States, Japan and beyond. In addition to the standard table sets, the book also includes innovative flatware for children, airline and travel, and accessible designs for those with limited dexterity. The last chapter includes new flatware commissioned specifically for this book, produced using 3D printing, which is revolutionizing how cutlery is designed and produced. By tracing pivotal historical moments alongside forward-thinking designs, Knife Fork Spoon invites readers to discover a new appreciation for these familiar objects.
Artists and designers include: Carl Aubock, Mattia Bonetti, Achille Castiglioni, Zaha Hadid, Arne Jacobsen, Misha Kahn, Minjae Kim, Enzo Mari, Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Isamu Noguchi, Gio Ponti, Carl Pott, Andrée Putman, Jacqueline Rabun, Carlo Scarpa, Philippe Starck, Katie Stout, Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, Robert Venturi & Denise Scott-Brown, Tapio Wirkkala, David Wiseman, Russel Wright and many more.