A Chelsea Fork, circa 1750-55
This white Chelsea fork is moulded with flowering prunus branches, in the manner of the blanc de chine porcelains of Dehua. Inspired by French porcelain, prunus moulding of this type tends to date to the Raised Anchor period at Chelsea. The fork has two steel tines on a baluster stem.
Provenance: An English Private Collection.
Condition: The porcelain haft is in good condition, with no damage or restoration, only light wear, and pinholes from firing. The ferrule is misshapen, and the steel has rusted, although this could probably be improved.
Dimensions: Length 18.3 cm (including tines)
A Review of Chelsea, Chelsea-Derby and Derby Knife and Fork Hafts, Tony Stevenson (ECC Transactions, vol. 14, no. 1, 1990).
Cutlery: From Gothic to Art Deco – The J. Hollander Collection, Jan van Trigt (Petraco-Pandora NV, 1999).
Ref. A similar (unnumbered) Mennecy-Villeroy haft is at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris.