Shadow Insects Fork

This is a rare fork made by Meissen in about 1740. Pistol grip design with a basket weave design to the ends, some gold trim, some nice woodcut style flowers and the best part being the little bugs with their shadows painted underneath. This type of shadow painting is associated with the painter Klinger though I don't think there is any proof to that. The fork metal part are made of steel and original to the period. It is marked with a single X style mark often found on very early Meissen pieces even Boettger stoneware pieces already had this marking on the metal parts. The ferrule between the handle and the fork itself is made of silver. The metal part goes into the handle and there is a spot coming out on the other end to fasten it in place which was only done on early pieces! The fork is in superb condition with wear to the gold trim. The fork is 8.125 inches long of which 3.125 inches is the length of the visible porcelain handle. The handle is about 0.875 inches at the widest. The porcelain is not marked or shall we say visibly marked since it would be hidden by the ferrule which is normal but it is definitely made by Meissen. Forks are even rarer than knives to find so this is a real treat and I have not seen one with shadow insects! Please email me for more information or other pictures.