A Mennecy-Villeroy Knife, circa 1740
The cannon-shape haft is painted in distinctive turquoise, red, yellow and blue colours with chinoiserie vignettes, including a figure in a garden holding a parasol. He stands surrounded by exotic flowers, birds, and insects, with other scenes depicting pagodas and palm trees. The curious perspective echoes that of Chinese compositions, whilst the colours evoke the Japanese Kakiemon palette. Fitted with a silver ferrule and cap, and a steel blade of French type. The cap is surrounded by a red scroll design.
Provenance: An English Private Collection.
Condition: There are some cracks close to the ferrule, and wear to the enamel decoration from use. No restoration.
Dimensions: Length 26.8 cm (including blade)
French Porcelain: A Catalogue of the British Museum Collection, Aileen Dawson (British Museum Press, 2000).
French Porcelain of the Eighteenth Century, Christopher Maxwell (V&A Publishing, 2009).