A pair of Meissen Knives, circa 1725-30
Of hard paste porcelain, mounted with silver-gilt ferrules and fitted with scimitar blades, one stamped for the cutler W. Pepys (of Poultry, London). Painted in underglaze blue in the French lambrequin style of Saint-Cloud.
Rare examples of Chinese Yongzheng porcelain handles made for export to Europe are known (see J. Hollander Collection, 304, for similar forks), although this pair of knife handles are almost certainly of Meissen manufacture.
Condition: Excellent – no damage or restoration.
Dimensions: Length 21 cm
Cutlery: From Gothic to Art Deco – The J. Hollander Collection, Jan van Trigt (Petraco-Pandora NV, 1999).