Not on display

Fish Slice

2000 (made)
Artist/Maker
Morrow, Ross (designer and maker)
Place of origin
Toronto (made)

This silver fish slice, made by Ross Morrow, is inspired by the story of "Captains Courageous" and is a well-executed piece depicting the blade as the bottom of a boat, the handle as an oar and the boss as a coil of rope upon which rests an anchor. Commissioned by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch for his collection of contemporary fish slices given to the Victoria and Albert Museum through the American Friends in 2005.

Object details

Categories
Metalwork
Eating
Object type
Fish slice
Materials and techniques
Sterling silver
Silver
Engraving (Incising)
Brief description
Silver, Toronto, 200, designed and made by Ross Morrow.
Physical description
The flat blade is the bottom of a boat, a small dory, engraved with struts and crosspieces. The boss is a delicately modelled coil of rope. The catch lies in the bottom and the handle is in the shape of a sleek oar with an anchor resting over the boss; polished finish.
Dimensions
  • Length: 35cm
  • Weight: 272g
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
No marks
Gallery label
(2005)
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.
Credit line
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch
Object history
Historical significance: Function plays a vital role in the design of Morrow's work. He likes to utilise the inherent characteristics of silver by leaving his surfaces unembellished. Often giving a contemporary twist to historical tales in his work, this piece was inspired by the Rudyard Kipling'sstory "Captains Courageous" first published in 1897.
Historical context
Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch FRS from contemporary North American and British makers.
Subject depicted
Boat
Summary
This silver fish slice, made by Ross Morrow, is inspired by the story of "Captains Courageous" and is a well-executed piece depicting the blade as the bottom of a boat, the handle as an oar and the boss as a coil of rope upon which rests an anchor. Commissioned by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch for his collection of contemporary fish slices given to the Victoria and Albert Museum through the American Friends in 2005.
Bibliographic reference
Benton Seymour Rabinovitch, Contemporary Silver, Part II: Recent Commissions, Seattle 2005, pp. 80-81 ill.
Other number
LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.159-2005 - previous loan number
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.132-2008

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Record createdJuly 13, 2007
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137333/fish-slice-morrow-ross/
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