Not on display

Green Cheese Gouger

Cake Slice
1999 (made)
Artist/Maker
Rooker, Mark (designer and maker)
Place of origin
Illinois (made)

The server is the artist’s interpretation of a space ship whose thrusters spew out its jet locomotion stream. The vehicle was given the specific designation by the artist as a “moon” ship. With a delightful “thrust” of humour at a now arcane reference to the lunar composition, he has titled his work a “green cheese gouger.” Fortunately, Neil Armstrong had a softer landing that scarcely marred the lunar landscape.

Object details

Categories
Eating
Metalwork
Object type
Cake slice
TitleGreen Cheese Gouger (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Silver
Sterling Silver
Brief description
Silver, USA, Urbana, Illinois, 1999, designed and made by Mark Rooker
Physical description
The server blade is a pointed oval shape that tapers from its centre line to the two cutting edges. The symmetry of the server is maintained by the complex, highly oblate spheroid that constitutes the handle. The blade has a contrasting brush finish. The handle has a butler finish, a polished dome, a two-level, stepped, circularly dotted surface, a vertical “rudder”, a toothed perimeter that suggests mechanical function and an under-side “turbine fan.”
Dimensions
  • Length: 20cm
  • Weight: 385g
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
Historical context
Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.
Summary
The server is the artist’s interpretation of a space ship whose thrusters spew out its jet locomotion stream. The vehicle was given the specific designation by the artist as a “moon” ship. With a delightful “thrust” of humour at a now arcane reference to the lunar composition, he has titled his work a “green cheese gouger.” Fortunately, Neil Armstrong had a softer landing that scarcely marred the lunar landscape.
Bibliographic reference
Benton Seymour Rabinovitch, Contemporary Silver, Part II Recent Commissions, Seattle, RAB Associates, 2005, pp.60-61. ill.
Other number
LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.141-2005 - previous loan number
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.114-2008

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 createdMay 12, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O154470/green-cheese-gouger-cake-slice-rooker-mark/
Download as: JSON