Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Spoon

1999 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This stainless steel spoon is part of a place setting in the Sea Drift pattern. Robert Welch (1929-2000) designed it in 1999 for his own retail outlets, where a single place setting sold for £42.

Welch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art in London as a silversmith and then joined the small firm of J. & J. Wiggin. At that time it was the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware. In 1955 he became Wiggin's design consultant and moved to Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, where he set up a workshop. His successful firm concentrated on domestic design including pottery, glass, a range of decorative cast iron, light fittings and cutlery. In 1965, he was made Royal Designer for Industry and in 1979 awarded an MBE.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Polished 18/10 stainless steel
Brief description
Stainless steel spoon in 'Sea Drift' pattern designed by Robert Welch.
Physical description
Hollow handled table spoon curved inwards to fit the hand.
Dimensions
  • Length: 17.8cm
  • Maximum width: 4cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
SEA DRIFT R.WELCH 18/10 INT DES REG DM/04/1900 (Design registration; Back of spoon; Stamping)
Credit line
Given by Robert Welch
Object history
This set of cutlery was donated by Robert Welch to the Metalwork department for the new display: 'International silver: 1900-2000' which opened November 2000 in the refurbished Silver Gallery.

Historical significance: Robert Welch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art as a silversmith before beginning work at the small firm of J&J Wiggin. At that time J&J Wiggin were the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware, marketed under the name 'Old Hall'. In 1955, he was appointed Wiggin's design consultant, a role which lasted until the firm closed down in 1984. Welch also moved to Chipping Campden in 1955 and set up a workshop in the Old Silk Mill. His successful firm concentrated on domestic design including pottery, glass, a range of decorative cast iron, light fittings and cutlery.

In 1965, he was made Royal Designer for industry and in 1979, awarded an MBE.

The 'Sea Drift' pattern was designed in 1999 for his own design retail outlets. A single place setting originally retailed for £42.
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
This stainless steel spoon is part of a place setting in the Sea Drift pattern. Robert Welch (1929-2000) designed it in 1999 for his own retail outlets, where a single place setting sold for £42.

Welch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art in London as a silversmith and then joined the small firm of J. & J. Wiggin. At that time it was the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware. In 1955 he became Wiggin's design consultant and moved to Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, where he set up a workshop. His successful firm concentrated on domestic design including pottery, glass, a range of decorative cast iron, light fittings and cutlery. In 1965, he was made Royal Designer for Industry and in 1979 awarded an MBE.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
M.16:3-2000

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

Record createdMarch 8, 2002
Record URL
Download as: JSON