Years ago, when I first came to New York, when the famed Chelsea Flea Market was, in fact, still in Chelsea, I found this set of six antique carved bone handle knives in a pile of otherwise lackluster silver. I love the swirl carving of the handle, the color and feel of bone. 

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I think these kinves would look beautiful at a table set with antique brown transferware plates and pressed glass wine goblets. There’s an exotic but sophisticated flair about such an unexpected material, don’t you think? Alternately, if you happen to find just one bone handle knife, perhaps with an elaborate scrimshaw monogram of your (or anyone else’s) initials, place it on your desk and use it as a letter opener. How great is that?