Fish Slice
2003 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This server is simple yet exquisitely delicate. The blade is a modified navette shape with two 1cm strips peel back from the edges, starting at the blade tip and joining together two form the handle. The handle is reinforced with a third central strut of 14K gold that extends from the rear centre of the blade and back to the finial. The finial is made practical by a short "deck", formed by two horizontal strips of gold that cap the handle and act as a rest. The subtle gold embellishments enhance the piece while retaining the simplicity of form and the elegance of the clean lines. This minimalist piece is also highly functional.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sterling silver, 14k gold |
| Brief description | Silver and 14 carat gold, Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 2003, designed and made by Brigette Clavette. |
| Physical description | The slice is made from a sheet of 16 gauge silver of navette shape. Two strips have been peeled back from the front point along the edges of the sheet and then twisted so as to come together to form a vertical flat end junction. The twisted strips are additionally united and capped by a forward pointed thin sheet that extends back to the terminal. They are further strengthened, decorated and made functional by a short "deck" that is formed from two narrow 14 carat narrow gold strips that extend horizontally along and beyond the terminal base of the handle and provide a handle rest. The peeled back edge strips are also reinforced and the whole handle decorated by a narrow billowing strut of 14 carat gold that extends from the centre of the blade and over the cap of the edge strips and all the way to the final deck. The blade and handle strips have a delicate scratch finish, save for a contrasting polished stripe that extends from the tip of the blade to the base of the gold strut. |
| Dimensions |
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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 | Historical significance: Clavette focuses on creating objects for ritualistic use, whether ceremonial or practical. Clavette is aware of the continuously changing design process and the unpredictable path the artist follows to reach the final object. |
| Historical context | Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers. |
| Summary | This server is simple yet exquisitely delicate. The blade is a modified navette shape with two 1cm strips peel back from the edges, starting at the blade tip and joining together two form the handle. The handle is reinforced with a third central strut of 14K gold that extends from the rear centre of the blade and back to the finial. The finial is made practical by a short "deck", formed by two horizontal strips of gold that cap the handle and act as a rest. The subtle gold embellishments enhance the piece while retaining the simplicity of form and the elegance of the clean lines. This minimalist piece is also highly functional. |
| Bibliographic reference | Benton Seymour Rabinovitch, Contemporary Silver, Part II: Recent Commissions,Seattle, 2005, pp. 78-9. ill. |
| Other number | LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.158-2005 - previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.131-2008 |
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| Record created | July 13, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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