Fish Slice
1996 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The dynamic quality of the piece is enhanced by the subtlety of the suggested forms. The stylized fish that leaps from the blade to form the handle seems to move at such speed that detail is lost. The chased ripples of the blade and scalloped edges enhance the sense of movement, of a moment frozen in time. The flash of the action is captured in the glints of light that reflect off the undulating ripples. The piece is exquisitely proportioned, the tapered navette shape of the blade balanced by the handle. The smoothness of the ripples are beautifully offset by the delicate scale patterns of the fish. The handle ends with the delicate fish mouth as a novel finial, an original touch to this delightfully simple design.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sterling silver |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1996, mark of Lucian Taylor |
| Physical description | The blade is a fourteen gauge (1.6mm) round shouldered trowel. It has chased waves over the whole surface, scalloped edges and a rounded rear edge. The hollow, tapering, tubular stem lifts from the rear of the blade as an abstracted, oblate, oval fish handle; the latter ornamented with an all over chased diaper scale pattern, tapers at both ends and represents an idealized fish leaping from the water. A finial is absent, leaving a novel mouth like terminal orifice. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | This collection of silver slices, all commissioned over a period of twenty years by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch FRS, is proof of the skill and diversity of contemporary silversmiths. Each artist craftsman has responded to the familiar functional form of the slice in an individual way, producing an astonishingly diverse range of interpretations. Each piece becomes an enchanting, decorative work of art. Professor Rabinovitch established a close rapport with each artist, always encouraging a freedom of creative expression. The response of these silversmiths has been not only to be strikingly imaginative but also to honour him by giving him their best work.
This collection is testimony to the significant contribution that one individual can make to supporting the craft of silversmithing. After commissioning work from some of the most illustrious names in British and North American silversmithing, Professor Rabinovitch has very generously donated his entire collection to the Victoria and Albert Museum, through the American Friends of the V&A.(2005) |
| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch |
| Object history | Fairfax House Fish & Cake Slice exhibition RF.2004/419 Historical significance: Taylor aims to "seduce hand and eye with form and texture". The tactile qualities of silver are integral to his designs, successfully enhancing the functionality of the piece. His designs are "heavily influenced by the purpose of an object" with no compromise to the elegance of his style which is inspired by all manner of artistic traditions. |
| Historical context | Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers. |
| Summary | The dynamic quality of the piece is enhanced by the subtlety of the suggested forms. The stylized fish that leaps from the blade to form the handle seems to move at such speed that detail is lost. The chased ripples of the blade and scalloped edges enhance the sense of movement, of a moment frozen in time. The flash of the action is captured in the glints of light that reflect off the undulating ripples. The piece is exquisitely proportioned, the tapered navette shape of the blade balanced by the handle. The smoothness of the ripples are beautifully offset by the delicate scale patterns of the fish. The handle ends with the delicate fish mouth as a novel finial, an original touch to this delightfully simple design. |
| Bibliographic reference | Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, commissioning, designing, collecting, London, (Merrell, 2000, pp. 90-91. ill. ISBN. 1858941040 |
| Other number | LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.106-2005 - previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.79-2008 |
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| Record created | July 10, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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