Antique Imari-Style Porcelain-Handled EPNS Butter Knife, c.1900

A charming antique butter or fruit knife, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The knife features a hand-painted porcelain handle decorated in an Imari-inspired palette of cobalt blue, iron red and gilt on a white ground.

The gently shaped handle is enriched with floral and scrolling foliate motifs, together with dark cobalt panels highlighted in gold. The EPNS blade has an elegant curved form and is finished with fine engraved decoration, creating an attractive contrast with the colourful porcelain handle.

With its compact size and decorative presentation, the knife is well suited to display within a collection of antique tableware or for occasional use as a butter, fruit or small serving knife.

Details

Item: Butter knife or fruit knife

Maker: Unidentified

Origin: Unconfirmed, likely European manufacture

Date / Period: Late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1900

Material: Hand-painted porcelain handle with EPNS blade

Style: Imari-inspired decoration

Decoration: Cobalt-blue, iron-red and gilt floral and foliate motifs on a white ground; engraved EPNS blade

Length: 18 cm

Condition

Good antique condition with age-related wear consistent with previous use. The porcelain handle displays a visible burn mark and associated loss of gilt decoration near the metal bolster, as shown in the photographs. The EPNS blade also shows light surface wear consistent with age. Please review the photographs carefully for the full condition.

Historical and Collector Context

Imari-inspired decoration became highly popular in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influencing porcelain, tableware and decorative objects beyond Japan. Its distinctive combination of cobalt blue, iron red and gilt created a rich and recognisable aesthetic suited to both formal dining and ornamental display.

This knife is an attractive example of that influence, combining a colourful hand-painted porcelain handle with an engraved EPNS blade. Its decorative character and practical scale make it a pleasing addition to a collection of antique serving utensils or porcelain-handled tableware.

All items are vintage or antique and may show light signs of age. Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. Feel free to message with any questions prior to purchase.