Fork
Date1753-1758
Artist/Maker
Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory
(1745-1769)
OriginEngland, London
MediumSoft-paste porcelain, silver, and steel.
DimensionsHaft: 4 1/4"
OL: 8 7/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1967-68,7
DescriptionFork with porcelain pistol-shaped haft, floral in relief on both sides; slightly tapering silver ferrule (collar); steel shank with three tines.Label TextThe porcelain handles on this set of twenty knives and forks are molded in low relief with leaves, branches, and a large four-petal flower on both sides. They are in two sizes, the smaller equipped with three-tine forks, and the larger with curved and rounded knife blades. The steel blades are stamped with a crown/GR/IEF/RIS, the mark of a member of the Jeffreys (or Jeffries) family of London cutlers. Nathaniel Jeffreys is known to have mounted Chelsea handles of this period because he advertised them in the London Daily Advertiser in 1751 and 1753; that of January 23, 1753, reads: "China Knives and Forks of the Chelsea Manufactory in the greatest variety of most beautiful Dresden Patterns Mounted and sold by Nathaniel Jefferys Cutler to His Majesty, their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duke."
MarkingsUnmarked
ProvenanceTilley & Co.
2 Symons Street
London, S. W. 3, England
