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Not currently on display at the V&A

Ladle

1749-1750 (hallmarked)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This object is part of a set of condiment vases and spoons used for serving mustard, sugar and pepper. The vessels are formed like classical vases. Italian excavations of ancient Roman sites had inspired a new interest in Neo-classical shapes such as these. The scallop-shell ornament on the vases matches the accompanying spoons. The set later belonged to the distinguished American collector and financier, J. Pierpont Morgan.

When the Catholic King Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots (French Protestants) were forced to leave the country. Many were craftsmen who settled in London. Their technical skills and fashionable French style ensured the luxury silver, furniture, watches and jewellery they made were highly sought after. Huguenot specialists transformed English silver by introducing higher standards of craftsmanship. They promoted new forms, such as the soup tureen and sauceboat, and introduced a new repertoire of ornament, with cast sculptural details and exquisite engraving.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, raised, cast, chased, engraved, pierced
Brief description
Silver, London hallmarks for 1749-50, mark of Paul de Lamerie
Physical description
Silver spoon with pierced shell-shaped bowl with scroll terminal and hook, chased with stylized foliage and engraved with a crest.
Dimensions
  • Length: 11.8cm
Updated with measurements taken 18/08/08
Marks and inscriptions
  • Engraved with an unidentified crest.
  • London hallmarks for 1749-50
  • Mark of Paul de Lamerie
Gallery label
11. Condiment vases and spoons 1749–50 London, England; Paul de Lamerie (1688–1751) Silver Engraved with unidentified crest Museum nos. Loan:Gilbert.706 to 711-2008(16/11/2016)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: J. Pierpont Morgan. The Morgan family; sale, Christie's New York, lot 34, October 26, 1982.
Summary
This object is part of a set of condiment vases and spoons used for serving mustard, sugar and pepper. The vessels are formed like classical vases. Italian excavations of ancient Roman sites had inspired a new interest in Neo-classical shapes such as these. The scallop-shell ornament on the vases matches the accompanying spoons. The set later belonged to the distinguished American collector and financier, J. Pierpont Morgan.

When the Catholic King Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots (French Protestants) were forced to leave the country. Many were craftsmen who settled in London. Their technical skills and fashionable French style ensured the luxury silver, furniture, watches and jewellery they made were highly sought after. Huguenot specialists transformed English silver by introducing higher standards of craftsmanship. They promoted new forms, such as the soup tureen and sauceboat, and introduced a new repertoire of ornament, with cast sculptural details and exquisite engraving.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Clayton, Michael. The Collector's dictionary of the silver and gold of Great Britain and North America. 2nd ed. London: Antique Collectors' Club, 1985, no 1, p. 158.
  • Schroder, Timothy The Gilbert Collection of Gold and Silver. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1988, cat. no. 76, pp. 292-94. ISBN.0875871445
Other numbers
  • SG 147 c - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.927 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • SG 362 i - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 2001.10 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.711-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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