Knife with Porcelain Handle (One of Four)
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-230
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Knife with Porcelain Handle (One of)* hails from the Chantilly Porcelainufactory, a pioneering workshop active from around 1725 to 1789. Dated circa 1735–0, it exemplifies early 18th-century luxury, blending functionality with delicate artistry. As part of a matched set of cutlery, the knife features a porcelain handle—likely produced using the factory's signature soft-paste technique— with a metal blade, though the exact medium details await further research. Chantilly was among France's first porcelain makers, inspired by Chinese imports and rivaling the famed Sèvres factory...