Not currently on display at the V&A

Larch

Place Setting
2007 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

"Larch" cutlery has historical design influences from the 18th century but Studio William Welch describes how the flowing form gives this pattern a modern flavour and brings it up to date. Larch cutlery is made using 18/10 stainless steel and is made with either a mirror or satin finish.

William Welch (born 1972) is an English industrial designer. He is the son of the late post-war industrial designer Robert Welch (21 May 1929-15 March 2000). Welch studied design at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) where he completed courses in Furniture Design and Silversmithing. From 1995-1997 Welch worked for Pentagram Design London as a junior designer under practice partner Kenneth Grange, and later worked in the same design consultancy for Daniel Wiel (1997–1999). He then completed a Master of Arts Degree at the Royal College of Art, London in 2001. As part of a research and development project he created cutlery for people with physical disabilities called "Adaptable Cutlery", which changed shape to accommodate the user’s physical abilities. This gained the graduating year’s top Helen Hamlyn Award for Design in 2001. The Adaptable Cutlery was also a category award winner for the Peugeot/Oxo Design Awards in 2002 and was crowned overall winner of all ten design categories. Following the death of his father, William was appointed Company Director at Robert Welch Designs Ltd in 2001. William worked alongside his brother Rupert until 2005 when he broke away from the company and launched Studio William Cutlery in 2005.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Table Knife
  • Table Fork
  • Soup Spoon
  • Side Knife
  • Side Fork
  • Dessert Spoon
  • Teaspoon
TitleLarch (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel 18/10, forged and polished to a mirror finish
Brief description
Place setting, "Larch", stainless steel, mirror finish, designed by William Welch, 2007
Physical description
Seven piece cutlery place setting formed of table knife, table fork, soup spoon, side knife, side fork, dessert spoon and teaspoon. Made of stainless steel.
Dimensions
  • Table knife length: 24.5cm (Note: M.34:1-2013)
  • Table knife thickness: 0.75cm (Note: M.34:1-2013)
  • Table knife weight: 100g (Note: M.34:1-2013)
  • Table fork length: 21cm (Note: M.34:2-2013)
  • Table fork thickness: 0.35cm (Note: M.34:2-2013)
  • Table fork weight: 55g (Note: M.34:2-2013)
  • Soup spoon length: 21cm (Note: M.34:3-2013)
  • Soup spoon thickness: 0.35cm (Note: M.34:3-2013)
  • Soup spoon weight: 70g (Note: M.34:3-2013)
  • Side knife length: 21.2cm (Note: M.34:4-2013)
  • Side knife thickness: 0.7cm (Note: M.34:4-2013)
  • Side knife weight: 75g (Note: M.34:4-2013)
  • Side fork length: 18.8cm (Note: M.34:5-2013)
  • Side fork thickness: 0.35cm (Note: M.34:5-2013)
  • Side fork weight: 50g (Note: M.34:5-2013)
  • Dessert spoon length: 18.8cm (Note: M.34:6-2013)
  • Dessert spoon thickness: 0.35cm (Note: M.34:6-2013)
  • Dessert spoon weight: 65g (Note: M.34:6-2013)
  • Teaspoon length: 13.2cm (Note: M.34:7-2013)
  • Teaspoon thickness: 0.3cm (Note: M.34:7-2013)
  • Teaspoon weight: 30g (Note: M.34:7-2013)
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Studio William Welch Ltd
Object history
"Larch" cutlery has historical design influences from the 18th century but the flowing form gives this pattern a modern flavour and brings it up to date.
Summary
"Larch" cutlery has historical design influences from the 18th century but Studio William Welch describes how the flowing form gives this pattern a modern flavour and brings it up to date. Larch cutlery is made using 18/10 stainless steel and is made with either a mirror or satin finish.

William Welch (born 1972) is an English industrial designer. He is the son of the late post-war industrial designer Robert Welch (21 May 1929-15 March 2000). Welch studied design at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) where he completed courses in Furniture Design and Silversmithing. From 1995-1997 Welch worked for Pentagram Design London as a junior designer under practice partner Kenneth Grange, and later worked in the same design consultancy for Daniel Wiel (1997–1999). He then completed a Master of Arts Degree at the Royal College of Art, London in 2001. As part of a research and development project he created cutlery for people with physical disabilities called "Adaptable Cutlery", which changed shape to accommodate the user’s physical abilities. This gained the graduating year’s top Helen Hamlyn Award for Design in 2001. The Adaptable Cutlery was also a category award winner for the Peugeot/Oxo Design Awards in 2002 and was crowned overall winner of all ten design categories. Following the death of his father, William was appointed Company Director at Robert Welch Designs Ltd in 2001. William worked alongside his brother Rupert until 2005 when he broke away from the company and launched Studio William Cutlery in 2005.
Collection
Accession number
M.34:1 to 7-2013

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 createdJuly 5, 2012
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest