A Chelsea Knife and Fork, circa 1750-55
Of small size, the hafts are 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 three tines on a steel baluster stem. The blade is later.
Provenance: An English Private Collection.
Dimensions: Length of knife (including blade) 18.2 cm; Length of fork (including tines) 18.4 cm.
Condition: The fork haft is in good order, with no damage or restoration. The knife haft has a short hairline close to the ferrule, and some light kiln spit from manufacture. Minor glaze wear to the moulded high points. No restoration. The knife haft is smaller than the fork haft, and marginally less white.
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).