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Trying to understand use of this fork with the outer tines unattached near the root of the fork, but still attached to the adjacent tine and to the middle support. Any ideas would be appreciated. What then is this fork to be used for?

Hi,
It can be (almost certainly) a sardine fork. Often designed and made like this. The attachment of outer tines is irrelevant, it depends on pierced design. If searched for ``silver sardine fork`` many forks of this form will emerge.
Regards

Thank you for your comment. It is interesting, but I don't find any sardine forks with the center support or the suspended outer tines. Maybe there is another purpose?

Hi,

It may well help if you tell us more about the item. How large is it? Who is the maker? Is it silver or plated?

Trev.

I would suggest a bread fork rather than a sardine (or fish) fork which, I think, would normally have parallel rather than outcurving edges.

Phil

Belongs to a silver fish server

Dendriet

Sorry, problem viewing image...Does the fork terminate in a floral or figural? Just want to make sure that is not a maternal image, therein eliminating a related use.

Note arrow at separation, which occurs at same place on opposite side. Sterling silver about 1903 by Mechanics Silver of Attleboro, MA. Marked with hallmark "H in a flag"

Length is 9 inches and width at widest point is 1 1/4 inches. From one angle the small perforation and separation looks like the beak of a bird.

I would suggest that the fork is broken on both sides at the weakest points.

Trev.

Indeed Trev.

My guess would be that the gaps are just part of the design, that is, not intended to be functional, just artistic.

As for the piece, my vote would be that it's a "brotgabel" — a bread fork. It's not unusual for these to be quite elaborate.