Mysterious Knife and Fork Saucer

Editor’s Notes

Part of the John Derian collection, the 19th-century inspired Knife and Fork saucer from Astier de Villatte is a testament to the Parisian brand’s spiritual ethos and John Derian’s iconic découpage.Votary of pre-industrial fabrication, Astier de Villatte is celebrated for being the one and only studio in Paris to hold and harbour the traditions of artisanal ceramic production. Restoring the ancestral systems of moulding and stamping, the Knife and Fork saucer is made using techniques from the Middle Ages which involve moulding a sheet of handmade clay, double firing the ‘biscuit’ piece and glazing the product in white enamel – a lengthy process that requires a drying time of up to one month. Characterised by découpage, it is engraved with the brand’s signature crest – depicting an interlacing A & V – alongside the initials of one of the 40 master artisans who created it. Each handmade piece tells a beautiful story, it romances and imparts a sense of nostalgia into its owner. Pair with other saucers from the John Derian collection for a considered afternoon tea setting. Artisanal production gives each ceramic object a unique aspect, meaning products may slightly vary.