Knife
1710-1740 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The blue and white decoration on this knife handle is characteristic of Moustiers 'faience' (tin-glazed earthenware). Pierre Clérissy (about 1651-1728), of the town of Faenza, assisted by the painter François Viry (1659-97), founded the first earthenware factory at Moustiers in 1679. The town went on to become an important centre for the production of decorated faience throughout the 18th century.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel, with handle of tin-glazed earthenware and a silver ferrule |
| Brief description | Knife with earthenware handle, probably Clérissy Factory, Moustiers, Southern France, 1710-40 |
| Physical description | Knife with a handle of tin-glazed earthenware in blue and white and a silver ferrule. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by J. H. Fitzhenry |
| Summary | The blue and white decoration on this knife handle is characteristic of Moustiers 'faience' (tin-glazed earthenware). Pierre Clérissy (about 1651-1728), of the town of Faenza, assisted by the painter François Viry (1659-97), founded the first earthenware factory at Moustiers in 1679. The town went on to become an important centre for the production of decorated faience throughout the 18th century. Ebony, ivory, fish skin, tortoiseshell, amber, bone, horn and shell were all popular for decorating cutlery. Around 1730 ceramic handles were introduced to Europe from China. Although cutlers were required by their guilds to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 990-1902 |
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| Record created | February 4, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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