Paper knife 1890

This paper knife was crafted out of jade, presumably in France, sometime in the 18th or 19th century by the Berquin-Varangoz Workshop. Jade, a precious material, signals wealth and refined taste. The decorative carving, with its classical figure and stylized leaves, reflects the aesthetic preferences of the European elite during this period. The paper knife itself speaks to the importance of correspondence and literacy within a specific social class. As more people gained access to education and written materials, items like this became increasingly relevant. To understand this object fully, we can look to period accounts of social customs, material culture studies, and workshop records. The meaning of art is deeply entwined with its social and institutional context.