Not currently on display at the V&A

Cake Slice

1992 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Michael Lloyd is especially distinguished for his beautiful flat chasing of themes form nature. He draws directly from life and “is able to distil the essence of a form; the clarity and rhythm of his emotive images… and strong simple forms produce pieces of quiet harmony which are... timeless”. This server reflects the long oval shape of two hundred years ago; but unlike those, the filled handles of which lie in the plane of the blade, the artist has continued the apple theme of the blade on to the very substantial handle that lifts from the blade. Even that butt end is exquisitely finished- although, alas, not visible in the illustration. Lloyd has carried the chasing right to the edge of the blade, as he has frequently done on the rims of beakers and cups, he explains that “Nature is ongoing; it is not appropriate to break it off prematurely”. He bears witness to the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, chased
Brief description
Silver, Edinburgh hallmarks for 1992, mark of Michael Lloyd
Physical description
The blade is a symmetrical long, oval, near-navette shape. The sheet blade is unpierced and completely chased to the edges with apples, part leaves, and leaf stems ending in points. The handle is chased with repeated rectangles of four intersecting leaf parts set in file on six swirled linear panels. The handle has a polished end piece and a five-faceted heavy boss that is integrated with the faceted rising lift. The butt of the handle is chased with four intersecting part apples. Lloyd is a skilled silversmith and does his own raising and forging.
Dimensions
  • Length: 36.7cm
  • Weight: 450g
  • Height: 6cm
  • Width: 10cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Edinburgh hallmarks for 1992
  • Mark of Michael Lloyd
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 context
Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.
Summary
Michael Lloyd is especially distinguished for his beautiful flat chasing of themes form nature. He draws directly from life and “is able to distil the essence of a form; the clarity and rhythm of his emotive images… and strong simple forms produce pieces of quiet harmony which are... timeless”. This server reflects the long oval shape of two hundred years ago; but unlike those, the filled handles of which lie in the plane of the blade, the artist has continued the apple theme of the blade on to the very substantial handle that lifts from the blade. Even that butt end is exquisitely finished- although, alas, not visible in the illustration. Lloyd has carried the chasing right to the edge of the blade, as he has frequently done on the rims of beakers and cups, he explains that “Nature is ongoing; it is not appropriate to break it off prematurely”. He bears witness to the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Bibliographic reference
Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, commissioning designing collecting, London, Merrell, pp.64-65. ill. ISBN.1858941040
Other number
LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.88-2005 - previous loan number
Collection
Accession number
M.61-2008

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Record createdMay 9, 2008
Record URL
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