The porcelain handle of this knife is decorated with floral motifs in Imari colours. Porcelain handles were first used on cutlery made in France in the early 18th century. Such knives were subsequently produced by most porcelain factories in Europe. The porcelain factory at Vienna (established 1718), was the second hard-paste porcelain factory established in Europe after Meissen. The Imari style had one the greatest impacts on European ceramics. Japanese Imari porcelain was produced in the area of Arita in present-day Saga prefecture on Kyushu Island. Imari derived its name from the port from where it was shipped. The range of enamels used on Imari wares is fairly wide but generally consists of blue, red and gold. In contrast to the heavily decorated Imari wares, The colours and patterns of Imari wares were reproduced and modified by European factories.
