Knife c. 18th century

This knife was crafted at the Meissen Porcelain Factory, established in 1710 during a period of great political maneuvering in Europe. Meissen was the first to discover the secret of hard-paste porcelain outside of China. The knife’s handle is adorned with delicate blue flowers on a pure white background, in stark contrast with the blade made of shimmering gold. The flowers suggest an idealized pastoral scene which served to further distance the aristocracy from the realities of the working class. This gilded utensil embodies the height of luxury and artistic achievement, and represents the intersection of dining, power, and identity in the 18th century. Such an object invites us to reflect on the historical context of its creation, and to consider the lives and labor of those who produced such exquisite, yet ultimately functional, objects. It speaks volumes about the values, aesthetics, and social structures of its time.