Mid Victorian Crystal Utensil Rest Victorian Faceted England 1850-1870 Barbell

This is an antique leaded crystal large cutlery rest with a fluted bar. The large knife rest or carving knife rest is quite old, dating to around 1850-1870 and has faceted ball ends in a dumbell or barbell shape. This knife rest has been hand and not machine faceted. The rest measures 4.5 inches long with 1.5 in diameter faceted ball ends. It has only a few tiny facet chips and is really in very good condition for it's age. Knife rests were popularized by the victorians as a way to keep your tablecloth clean during dinner courses and reduced the number to be washed. Clever as well as decorative.