Spoon
1780-1781 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The records of the very successful London goldsmiths' firm of Garrard for the year 1760 include customer orders for spoons and forks which are described as 'turn'd back'. This is almost certainly a reference to pieces like this, in which the finial turns back or down so that the spoon or fork can be laid on the table with the bowl or tines uppermost (as we would set them on the table today). The fashion for turned back finials probably originated in England, as the style represents a break with the French patterns which English goldsmiths imitated during the second half of the eighteenth century. Consequently this style has come to be known as 'Old English'. The engraved decoration on the edge of the spoon and on the finial is referred to as 'bright-cut', because facets, rather than lines, are cut into the surface of the silver in order to produce a sparkling effect. The technique emerges in goldsmithing around 1770, and reflects improvements in the cutting edges of tools as a result of improvements in the quality of steel production. The bright-cut decoration round the edge of the spoon is referred to now as 'feather edge', but in eighteenth century account books this feature is described as 'laurelling'.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silver |
Brief description | Spoon, silver, London hallmarks for 1780-81; worn maker's mark is indecipherable. |
Physical description | Old English pattern with bright cut edge; worn bowl. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Given by C. B. Farmer. |
Object history | This spoon, together with spoon 301-1899, were given to the Museum by C. B. Farmer of 164 Fulham Road, South Kensington, and received at the Museum on 3rd January 1899. Nothing is known of their ownership prior to this date. |
Summary | The records of the very successful London goldsmiths' firm of Garrard for the year 1760 include customer orders for spoons and forks which are described as 'turn'd back'. This is almost certainly a reference to pieces like this, in which the finial turns back or down so that the spoon or fork can be laid on the table with the bowl or tines uppermost (as we would set them on the table today). The fashion for turned back finials probably originated in England, as the style represents a break with the French patterns which English goldsmiths imitated during the second half of the eighteenth century. Consequently this style has come to be known as 'Old English'. The engraved decoration on the edge of the spoon and on the finial is referred to as 'bright-cut', because facets, rather than lines, are cut into the surface of the silver in order to produce a sparkling effect. The technique emerges in goldsmithing around 1770, and reflects improvements in the cutting edges of tools as a result of improvements in the quality of steel production. The bright-cut decoration round the edge of the spoon is referred to now as 'feather edge', but in eighteenth century account books this feature is described as 'laurelling'. |
Associated object | |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | 301A-1899 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest