Forks became common utensils on Western dining tables during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The use of forks started to gain popularity in Italy and gradually spread to other parts of Europe.
Historically, knives and spoons were the primary utensils used for eating in medieval Europe. Forks, as we know them today, were a relatively late addition. The earliest known forks appeared in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire around the 4th century, but they were initially viewed with suspicion and considered a symbol of luxury or decadence.
The use of forks in Western Europe was not widely adopted until the 17th century. Catherine de Medici, an Italian princess, introduced forks to the French court in the 16th century. However, their usage remained limited and was considered a refinement mostly reserved for the nobility.
It was not until the 17th and 18th centuries that forks started to become more commonplace among the middle and upper classes in Western Europe. The fork's acceptance was influenced by cultural exchanges, improved design, and changes in dining etiquette.
The spread of forks was gradual, and various regions embraced their use at different rates. By the 18th century, forks were an established part of table settings in many parts of Europe, and their use continued to grow over time.
Today, forks are an essential and universally accepted utensil in Western dining culture, used alongside knives and spoons for a wide range of meals and occasions.