Artwork Page for Knife Handle (manche de couteau)

Details / Information for Knife Handle (manche de couteau)

Knife Handle (manche de couteau)

c. 1710–1730
made by

Saint Cloud Porcelain Factory

(French)
Culture
France, Saint Cloud, early 18th Century
Medium
soft-paste porcelain, steel blade
Measurements
Overall: 19.1 cm (7 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The Norweb Collection 1964.511
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The Saint-Cloud porcelain factory was the first successful European manufacturer of soft-paste porcelain, a slightly off-white product that attempted to emulate the prized hard-paste porcelain produced by China and Japan.

Description

Prior to the 18th century, personal flatware was produced in expensive materials as a luxury item that communicated wealth and status. Porcelain handles were introduced at the beginning of the 18th century, likely by the Saint-Cloud factory. This handle is decorated with a pattern in underglaze blue inspired by porcelain imported from China and has been fitted to a steel blade.
A flat steel blade with a rounded tip extends horizontally from a tapered porcelain handle. Dark blue scrolling floral patterns decorate both ends of the ivory-colored ceramic. A thin, ridged metal collar joins the handle to the matte gray blade, which is marked by small dark surface spots along its straight edge.

Knife Handle (manche de couteau)

c. 1710–1730

Saint Cloud Porcelain Factory

(French)
France, Saint Cloud, early 18th Century

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