44311
Nutcracker
1958 (designed and made)
1958 (designed and made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
One of the biggest single commissions given to Robert Welch was to design the tableware for the Orient liner SS Oriana (1960-86). This was designed and manufactured between 1958 and 1960. When Sir Colin Anderson was chairman, the Orient Line developed an enlightened design policy. It employed some of the best and most innovative designers and architects of the day to construct and fit out its ships. To be awarded a commission by Anderson was an accolade in itself.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | 44311 (trade title) |
| Materials and techniques | Brass prototype for production in stainless steel, cast by the lost wax process. |
| Brief description | Nutcracker, brass prototype, designed and made by Robert Welch RDI, Chipping Campden, 1958. |
| Physical description | Prototype nutcraker, brass for a nutcracker, stainless steel, satin finish, composed of two arms, pivoted at the top, off centre, wave-like internal contours to hold varying sizes of nuts securely, while its two pointed crests efficiently break their shells. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Prototype |
| Credit line | Given by Robert Welch |
| Object history | Acquisition RF: 65/2538 Gift of Robert Welch, The Mill, Chipping Campden, Glos. This early design by Robert Welch was first realised as a brass prototype which he made in his workshop in Chipping Campden. Derrett Lost Wax Casting of Droitwich subsequently developed a production model in 1958 using the lost wax casting technique. This nutcracker was initially designed for sale in the gift shop of the SS Oriana and was subsequently made generally available. It has a production run from 1961 to 1975. |
| Association | |
| Summary | One of the biggest single commissions given to Robert Welch was to design the tableware for the Orient liner SS Oriana (1960-86). This was designed and manufactured between 1958 and 1960. When Sir Colin Anderson was chairman, the Orient Line developed an enlightened design policy. It employed some of the best and most innovative designers and architects of the day to construct and fit out its ships. To be awarded a commission by Anderson was an accolade in itself. |
| Associated object | CIRC.408-1960 (Series) |
| Bibliographic reference | Charlotte and Peter Fiell, Robert Welch, Design: Craft and Industry, London, Laurence King Publishing, 2015. pp.70-71. ill. ISBN: 978178676050. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.644-1965 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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