Toast Rack
late 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Toast racks, designed to hold a selection of toast on the breakfast table, first appeared in the 1780s, a further indication of the general refinement of dining customs among the middle classes. A variety of designs was initially explored (for example, articulated racks) before the simple arrangement of parallel arches, as in this rack, became standard.
Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s.
Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sheffield plate |
| Brief description | Toast rack, Sheffield Plate, late 18th century, English |
| Physical description | Oval with pierced and chased border and beaded edge; on four curved feet. Nine transverse wire divisions of ovals and lozenges secured by wires underneath, the middle one with a ring handle. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | H. B. Hudson Gift |
| Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
| Summary | Toast racks, designed to hold a selection of toast on the breakfast table, first appeared in the 1780s, a further indication of the general refinement of dining customs among the middle classes. A variety of designs was initially explored (for example, articulated racks) before the simple arrangement of parallel arches, as in this rack, became standard. Sheffield plate originated, with the discovery in 1742, that bars of silver and copper, in unequal proportions, fused by heating under pressure, could be rolled into sheets of laminated metal and worked like silver. The industry this material created flourished for about 100 years until superseded by electroplating in the 1840s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.308-1920 |
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| Record created | September 24, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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