Silver, USA, Hopatcong, New Jersey, 2004, designed and made by Wendy Yothers

The heavy 10 gauge polished and bevelled blade has a compact spear-like form, with a sharply drawn out point and an original side hook feature. The rear edge is slanted and sharply double cusped. It is embellished on both sides with chased and engraved naturalistic leaf sprays that originate form the heal and partially cover half the blade. The stem is a short, cast, partially corrugated rod that fits into a notch in the heel of the blade and has a V shaped boss on the top side. It terminates in a cast medallion like head of native inspiration, on one side, and a leaf pattern on the other.

Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch

Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.

Contemporary artists have sometimes reverted for inspiration to earlier periods; Art Nouveau and Art Deco are two such sources. The styles of the second half of the 19th century themselves evoked themes as, for example, in the rococo and naturalistic revivals, the Celtic revival and so on. Here the artist has invoked later 19th century American style in the sleek, compact blade type, worked stem rod construction and medallion finial. Such later waves, resonances, in design are assurances of deeply felt sentiments.

M.127-2008