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Romney Plain Pine

Fork
1932-1936 (designed and made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Walter Patrick Belk initially designed this service for the dining rooms of the Queen Mary. It proved so popular that it was also used for another of Cunard’s transatlantic liners, the Queen Elizabeth, sister ship of the Queen Mary.

In the first half of the 20th century, Roberts and Belk were a well-known firm of manufacturing platers and silversmiths. They had been established in Sheffield in 1810. In 1901 the firm converted into a limited liability company, the first directors being Charles Belk and Walter Belk. In 1961 it was purchased by the London manufacturing silversmiths, C. J. Vander Ltd.

Traditionally, Roberts and Belk had a ‘high-class’ goods range – ‘ every piece designed by the firm’s own staff’. Walter Belk (1872-1963) was originally an architect. As director of this important firm, he was immensely supportive of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s schemes to improve design in silver. He was elected to the Livery of the Company in 1929.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRomney Plain Pine (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Electroplated nickel silver
Brief description
Fork, `Plain Pine', electroplate, Sheffield, made by Roberts and Belk, 1932-36, designed by Walter Patrick Belk
Physical description
Fork, three tines, the outer edges tapering slightly inwards, the haft with chamfered edges and end, stamped with a fleche pattern
Dimensions
  • Length: 7in
  • Width: 0.75in (maximum)
Style
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
798068 and the lamp mark (Design registration number and the company logo)
Association
Summary
Walter Patrick Belk initially designed this service for the dining rooms of the Queen Mary. It proved so popular that it was also used for another of Cunard’s transatlantic liners, the Queen Elizabeth, sister ship of the Queen Mary.

In the first half of the 20th century, Roberts and Belk were a well-known firm of manufacturing platers and silversmiths. They had been established in Sheffield in 1810. In 1901 the firm converted into a limited liability company, the first directors being Charles Belk and Walter Belk. In 1961 it was purchased by the London manufacturing silversmiths, C. J. Vander Ltd.

Traditionally, Roberts and Belk had a ‘high-class’ goods range – ‘ every piece designed by the firm’s own staff’. Walter Belk (1872-1963) was originally an architect. As director of this important firm, he was immensely supportive of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s schemes to improve design in silver. He was elected to the Livery of the Company in 1929.
Associated objects
Bibliographic references
  • Carol Hogben, ed. British Art and Design, 1900-1960, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1983. pp.136-137. ill. ISBN: 0905209575
  • Jennifer Hawkins and Marianne Hollis, Thirties, British art and design before the war, London, Arts Council, p.140. ill.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.124A-1937

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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