Labrador thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Labrador

Sauceboat and Serving Spoon
1982 (designed), ca.1982 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Labrador sauce boat was created by the theorist and designer Andrea Branzi for the second Memphis collection, a group of objects that saw the collective moving from the limited repertoire of the original 1981 collection, which consisted of laminated furniture and metal lamp, into more luxurious materials and small scale domestic wares. These included not only silver plate but also ceramics, glass and marble.

Although the Labrador's overall shape suggests a kitsch reference to an ice cream cone, the organic forms of its cast support and spoon connects the object to the neoprimiitivist 'Domestic Animal' furniture that Branzi would go on to execute in 1985, which incorporated actual branches into their design. The naturalistic elements in relation to a rigid geometric form in the Labrador seems an attempt to re-establish a system of links and functions which are not restricted to ergonomic and functional relations.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Sauceboat
  • Sauceboat Lid
  • Sauceboat, Interior Sleeve
  • Spoon for a Sauceboat
TitleLabrador (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Electroplated nickel silver on a glass stand
Brief description
Sauceboat, electroplated nickel silver and glass, 'Labrador', designed by Andrea Branzi, for Memphis, Milan, 1982.
Physical description
Sauce boat in electroplated nickel silver in the form of an inverted cone with a detachable lid supported by a stand with a glass base, rounded at one end, squared at the other. The support of cast metal in the form of an S shaped branch with buds, which turns at right angles at the top and splits into two branches which straddle and support the cone. There is an internal liner, cone shaped with a protruding pin at the base to stabilize it within the outer sleeve. The metal upright is secured through the glass base by a steel screw. The lid has a rectangular cut out section at the rim to accommodate the spoon
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.2cm
  • Of stand length: 18.5cm
  • Width: 9.4cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
MEMPHIS / MILAN (Stamped on the front of the body and on the lid)
Production
Early edition
Summary
The Labrador sauce boat was created by the theorist and designer Andrea Branzi for the second Memphis collection, a group of objects that saw the collective moving from the limited repertoire of the original 1981 collection, which consisted of laminated furniture and metal lamp, into more luxurious materials and small scale domestic wares. These included not only silver plate but also ceramics, glass and marble.

Although the Labrador's overall shape suggests a kitsch reference to an ice cream cone, the organic forms of its cast support and spoon connects the object to the neoprimiitivist 'Domestic Animal' furniture that Branzi would go on to execute in 1985, which incorporated actual branches into their design. The naturalistic elements in relation to a rigid geometric form in the Labrador seems an attempt to re-establish a system of links and functions which are not restricted to ergonomic and functional relations.
Bibliographic reference
ed. Glenn Adamson and Jane Pavitt, Postmodernism Style and Suversion, 1970-1990, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2011 p.43. pl.44 Catherine Rossi, "How Memphis was Made" in Crafts Magazine, ed. Grant Gibson, London, Crafts Council, September / October 2011, issue 232, p.63. ill.
Collection
Accession number
M.34:1 to 4-2010

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 11, 2010
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest