Cheese Scoop
1894-1895 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This serving implement was designed for elegantly scooping an individual portion from a large block of cheese, such as a Stilton. In 1897 Mappin Brothers charged 6s 6d for a similar electroplated scoop and 19s 6d for one in solid silver. Mappin and Webb, the makers of the cheese scoop, who took over Mappin Brothers in 1903, were one of the largest manufacturers and retailers in the 19th century, with a factory in Sheffield and a shop in Oxford Street, London.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hand wrought scoop and stem with stamped ferrule and ivory handle |
| Brief description | Cheese scoop, silver with ivory handle, made by Mappin and Webb, Sheffield, 1894-5 |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Crown for Sheffield, sterling, date letter for 1894-5, maker's mark for Mappin and Webb (On the back of silver part of handle.; Stamped) |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This serving implement was designed to elegantly scoop an individual portion from a large cheese such as a stilton. In 1897, Mappin Brothers charged 6s 6d for a similar electroplated scoop but 19s 6d for one in solid silver. Mappin and Webb were one of the largest manufacturers and retailers in the 19th century with a factory in Sheffield and a shop in Oxford Street. By 1903 Mappin Brothers had been absorbed into the business. |
| Historical context | Specialized dining utensils became essential in the second half of the 19th century when touching food at the table was frowned upon except in a few instances such as eating rolls, cheese or fresh fruit. The Habits of Good Society, published in 1859, recommends: 'Never touch anything edible with your fingers.' |
| Summary | This serving implement was designed for elegantly scooping an individual portion from a large block of cheese, such as a Stilton. In 1897 Mappin Brothers charged 6s 6d for a similar electroplated scoop and 19s 6d for one in solid silver. Mappin and Webb, the makers of the cheese scoop, who took over Mappin Brothers in 1903, were one of the largest manufacturers and retailers in the 19th century, with a factory in Sheffield and a shop in Oxford Street, London. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.24-1999 |
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| Record created | February 22, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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