Knife c. 18th century

This knife was made at the Meissen Porcelain Factory, founded in 1710. It features a gilded blade and a handle crafted from delicate, hand-painted porcelain. Now, a knife is a humble object, of course. But here, the Meissen factory really elevated it. The handle's floral design, rendered in vibrant blues and gold, reflects the refined tastes of the European elite, who were willing to pay top dollar for porcelain objects. The gilding on the blade, though seemingly functional, is really more about visual appeal than cutting performance. This is not a tool for labor; it’s a luxury item, pure and simple. The knife demonstrates how craft traditions could be enlisted to create objects of conspicuous consumption. It is more about social status than any practical use. And that makes it fascinating.