A Bow blanc de chine Knife and Fork, circa 1755
Of pistol-grip shape and small size, so probably intended for use with the game course, the moulded blanc de chine decoration of this knife and fork takes the form of festoons suspended from rococo C-scrolls. A band of acanthus leaves runs around the tapering hafts, just above the silver ferrules. The fork is fitted with three steel tines on a baluster stem, the knife with a scimitar steel blade.
Provenance: An English Private Collection.
Condition: The fork has a very small bruise to the glaze beneath the bulbous end of the pistol grip, and a tiny raised manufacturing flaw. There is light wear to the glaze, consistent with use. No restoration. There is some age-related tarnishing to the silver ferrules. The steel fittings are good and sharp.
Dimensions: Length of knife 20 cm (including blade); Length of fork 17.9 cm (including tines)
A Review of Bow and Worcester Knife and Fork Hafts, Tony Stevenson (ECC Transactions, vol. 13, no. 3, 1989).
Cutlery: From Gothic to Art Deco – The J. Hollander Collection, Jan van Trigt (Petraco-Pandora NV, 1999).