QUITOKEETO

The Pontormo Knife

In 1525 a group of monks hired Jacopo da Pontormo to paint the biblical scene, Supper at Emmaus, which currently hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Jesus is at the center of the painting, with the monks that commissioned the work flanking him. While the robes and bare feet of the men at the table reference the era of the Bible, the objects on the table are closer to what was typical in Pontormo's time. You can see a very good photograph of the painting here.

According to the New Testament, once the bread was broken, the disciples at the table realized both Christ's identity and the fact that he had been resurrected. The painting seems to depict the moment just before the bread is broken. One disciple is pouring a beverage, perhaps wine, while the other holds a small loaf of bread. Christ also has a small loaf and, with hand raised, seems to be on the cusp of telling a story.

All three men have matching knives. The shape and size of the knives are larger than knives now used for steak knives and flatware. Coltellerie Berti's interpretation of the knife in Pontormo's painting is 11 inches long, with a 7-inch blade. The petal-shaped blade and weight of the boxwood handle make it an interesting hybrid between table and kitchen knife.