Knife with Porcelain Handle
Handle, Kangxi, 1622â1722; blade, ca. 1710
Medium
cutlery
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-225
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant *Knife with Porcelain Handle exemplifies the luxurious fusion of Eastern artistry and Western utility from the early 18th century. The porcelain handle hails from China's Kangxi period (1622–1722), a golden age of Qing Dynasty ceramics renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, vibrant glazes, and intricate designs. Paired with a blade dated around 1710, likely forged in Europe or America, this cutlery piece reflects the global trade networks that brought Chinese porcelain to Western tables, transforming everyday dining into a display of sophistication. Porcelain from the Kangxi...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...