Fish Slice
1998 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Although the relationship between silver and ceramics has a long and distinguished history-via the work of such designers as Nicholas Sprimont in the 18th century.-more recent connections between these materials have been rare. O’Neill, who first trained in ceramics, approaches silver with a modeller’s skill, exploiting the plasticity of the metal with a sculptor’s confidence. O’Neill created a maquette in plaster to put form to her ideas before working with the metal. The sensuous curve of the fleshy tail that forms the handle rises up and out of the deeply fluted trowel, creating an organic unity of function and sculpture.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, chased and polished |
| Brief description | Fish slice, silver, London hallmarks for 1998, mark of Shannon O'Neill |
| Physical description | The blade has a rounded oval trowel shape and is unique in being of hollow construction. The bottom surface is flat; the top surface is domed and is beautifully chased in an asymmetric eddy swirl, from the vortex of which a fish body, with fluted tail, emerges. The handle is also hollow and made in three sections. It has a matte finish, in contrast with the polished blade. |
| 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 |
| Historical context | Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers. |
| Summary | Although the relationship between silver and ceramics has a long and distinguished history-via the work of such designers as Nicholas Sprimont in the 18th century.-more recent connections between these materials have been rare. O’Neill, who first trained in ceramics, approaches silver with a modeller’s skill, exploiting the plasticity of the metal with a sculptor’s confidence. O’Neill created a maquette in plaster to put form to her ideas before working with the metal. The sensuous curve of the fleshy tail that forms the handle rises up and out of the deeply fluted trowel, creating an organic unity of function and sculpture. |
| Bibliographic reference | Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, commissioning designing collecting, London, Merrell, pp.78-9. ill. ISBN.1858941040 |
| Other number | LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.97-2005 - previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.70-2008 |
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| Record created | May 12, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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