Fish Slice
1991 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This server is a modern rendition of the eighteenth century trowel form. The artist has injected a personal flavour and a sense of fun in the asymmetry of the blade and the truncated slanted front edge. The pleasing curves of the blade are continued through the daringly steep bolster-apron lift, highly polished to give a variety of textures. The concave curved handle balances the trowel-shaped blade and has a roller-imprinted cloth pattern. The functional aspect of this solid piece is clear through the tactile texturing of the handle with a polished multiple-finger grip on the underside and the generous size of the blade. The frank structural design is complemented by the light-hearted scene, man eating fish, a very literal interpretation of the fish server's use.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sterling silver, engraved, pierced and forged |
| Brief description | Silver, United States, New Paltz, New York, 1981, mark of Kurt Matzdorf. |
| Physical description | The bevelled blade is of asymmetric trowel shape with a truncated, slanted front edge. It is engraved and pierced with fish forms that are threatened by a voracious pursuer. The heavy handle is carried by a large vertical concave bolster apron lift at the rear of the blade. It has a roller imprinted cloth pattern topside and a polished multiple finger grip on its underside. A large script R has been applied to the butt end as a personal touch (for the commissioner). |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | THE RABINOVITCH COLLECTION
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 | Matzdorf was motivated to inject fun back into the silversmithing scene while creating beautiful silverware, this piece is delightfully novel, depicting a humourous scene of fish fleeing from a voracious pursuer. Commissioned by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch for his collection of contemporary fish slices given to the Victoria and Albert Museum through the American Friends in 2005. Fairfax House Fish & Cake Slice exhibition RF.2004/419 Historical significance: Matzdorf was struck by the sobriety of the silversmithing craft when he began in 1953, “it appeared to me to be almost a wasteland”. In his designs Matzdorf injects humour and personality, drawing from all artistic traditions in his pursuit of the creation of beautiful silverware. |
| Historical context | Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This server is a modern rendition of the eighteenth century trowel form. The artist has injected a personal flavour and a sense of fun in the asymmetry of the blade and the truncated slanted front edge. The pleasing curves of the blade are continued through the daringly steep bolster-apron lift, highly polished to give a variety of textures. The concave curved handle balances the trowel-shaped blade and has a roller-imprinted cloth pattern. The functional aspect of this solid piece is clear through the tactile texturing of the handle with a polished multiple-finger grip on the underside and the generous size of the blade. The frank structural design is complemented by the light-hearted scene, man eating fish, a very literal interpretation of the fish server's use. |
| Bibliographic reference | Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, London, Merrell, 200. pp.132-3. ill. ISBN. 1858941040 |
| Other number | LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.136-2005 - previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.109-2008 |
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| Record created | July 10, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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