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Not currently on display at the V&A

Fish Slice

1992 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The classical trowel shape of the piece offers an exciting contrast to the modern design. In the mythical marine scene depicted, a mermaid rises from ocean depths and blows fish up the handle. Short has deftly captured the depth and lustre of the colours. The enamelling uses the basse taille technique over the engraving, beautifully integrated with the surrounding silver. The swirling waves of the engraved silver complement the marine motif and create a luxuriant, opulent feel, enhanced by the split boss fastened by three 18 carat gold screws. The piece is a successful fusion between modern design and a highly decorative classical style.

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interact Serving up: silver slices Rummage hard enough through your kitchen drawers and you might find a metal server for slicing and serving fish, cakes, pies and puddings. Today slices are often reserved for special occasions, but they were once the height of fashion, specially designed for specific foods – from 'knight s...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Sterling silver, gold and enamel
Brief description
Silver, gold and enamel, London hallmarks for 1992, mark of Jane Short MBE.
Physical description
The server is in the form of a trowel. The heart-shaped blade is heavily engraved on both the top and the underside with swirling waves and currents. A central triangular area enamelled in blue-green depicts a mermaid rising from the deep and blowing seven fish up the enamelled and engraved handle. The blade is grasped by a split boss, triangular on top and a rounded V underneath, and fastened by three 18 carat gold screws. The underside of the blade is counter-enamelled in a deep blue-green sea. The enamelling is basse taille over the engraving. The mermaid's head is outlined by a man-in-the-moon over a gold sun; snails and shells accentuate the marine motif.
Dimensions
  • Length: 33cm
  • Weight: 400g
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1992
  • Mark of Jane Short MBE.
Gallery label
This collection of silver slices, all commissioned over a period of twenty years by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch FRS, is proof of the skill and diversity of contemporary silversmiths. Each artist craftsman has responded to the familiar functional form of the slice in an individual way, producing an astonishingly diverse range of interpretations. Each piece becomes an enchanting, decorative work of art. Professor Rabinovitch established a close rapport with each artist, always encouraging a freedom of creative expression. The response of these silversmiths has been not only to be strikingly imaginative but also to honour him by giving him their best work. This collection is testimony to the significant contribution that one individual can make to supporting the craft of silversmithing. After commissioning work from some of the most illustrious names in British and North American silversmithing, Professor Rabinovitch has very generously donated his entire collection to the Victoria and Albert Museum, through the American Friends of the V&A.(2005)
Credit line
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch
Object history
Fairfax House Fish & Cake Slice exhibition RF.2004/419

Historical significance: The artist was inspired by the richness and splendour of enamel to use fanciful imagery; a mythical mermaid. The richness of colour and imagery is complemented by the highly decorative engraved silver.
Historical context
Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The classical trowel shape of the piece offers an exciting contrast to the modern design. In the mythical marine scene depicted, a mermaid rises from ocean depths and blows fish up the handle. Short has deftly captured the depth and lustre of the colours. The enamelling uses the basse taille technique over the engraving, beautifully integrated with the surrounding silver. The swirling waves of the engraved silver complement the marine motif and create a luxuriant, opulent feel, enhanced by the split boss fastened by three 18 carat gold screws. The piece is a successful fusion between modern design and a highly decorative classical style.
Bibliographic reference
Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, commissioning, designing, collecting, London, Merrell, 2000, pp. 84-5. ill. ISBN.1858941040
Other number
LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.102-2005 - previous loan number
Collection
Accession number
M.75-2008

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Record createdJuly 10, 2007
Record URL
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