Bread Knife
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This bread knife was acquired by the V&A very early in its history as an example of good design. The blade is engraved with children sowing and reaping whilst the handle is in the shape of an ear of maize. It is possible that Henry Cole, the Museum's first director, saw this as an example of 'appropriate ornament' drawn 'as directly as possible from Nature' in which the decoration of harvesting children and maize cobs underlined its purpose as a bread knife.
People
John Bell, a friend of Henry Cole and a successful sculptor, designed this knife for the Felix Summerly Art Manufactures. Cole had adopted the name of Felix Summerly in 1843 when he began to write and produce children's books, having been dissatisfied with the quality of those available for his own family. The Art Manufactures were set up to produce well designed everyday objects designed by the best artists and made by the best manufacturers at affordable prices. This bread knife was made as a reissue of a Felix Summerly design. Although the Art Manufactures were a commercial failure, Henry Cole felt that it had been an important endeavour which should be represented in the new Museum's collection.
Historical Context
Henry Cole believed that museums could be 'antidotes to brutality and vice' and could serve to improve people's tastes and morals. The desire to improve the taste of the public was a strong one in the 19th century as a response to the social problems linked with industrialisation.
This bread knife was acquired by the V&A very early in its history as an example of good design. The blade is engraved with children sowing and reaping whilst the handle is in the shape of an ear of maize. It is possible that Henry Cole, the Museum's first director, saw this as an example of 'appropriate ornament' drawn 'as directly as possible from Nature' in which the decoration of harvesting children and maize cobs underlined its purpose as a bread knife.
People
John Bell, a friend of Henry Cole and a successful sculptor, designed this knife for the Felix Summerly Art Manufactures. Cole had adopted the name of Felix Summerly in 1843 when he began to write and produce children's books, having been dissatisfied with the quality of those available for his own family. The Art Manufactures were set up to produce well designed everyday objects designed by the best artists and made by the best manufacturers at affordable prices. This bread knife was made as a reissue of a Felix Summerly design. Although the Art Manufactures were a commercial failure, Henry Cole felt that it had been an important endeavour which should be represented in the new Museum's collection.
Historical Context
Henry Cole believed that museums could be 'antidotes to brutality and vice' and could serve to improve people's tastes and morals. The desire to improve the taste of the public was a strong one in the 19th century as a response to the social problems linked with industrialisation.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt metal and ivory, carved and engraved |
| Brief description | Bread knife with an ivory handle in the form of an ear of maize and a broad steel blade decorated with children harvesting corn, inscribed with Felix Summerly's Art Manufactures, a design registry mark and the signature of Joseph Rodgers and Sons of Sheffield. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
BREAD BOARD AND KNIFE Henry Cole experienced difficulty in putting many of the designs he commissioned into production. The manufacturers he approached to make this breadboard thought it was uncommercial and expensive. Cole persevered, and later claimed that through his success he had revived the use of wooden bread platters or trenchers. He established a new branch of industry at Sheffield and created a demand for an ordinary domestic object that continues to this day.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Designed by John Bell (born in Hepton, Suffolk, 1811, died in London, 1895) for Felix Summerly's Art Manufactures, made in Sheffield, by Joseph Rodgers & Sons |
| Summary | Object Type This bread knife was acquired by the V&A very early in its history as an example of good design. The blade is engraved with children sowing and reaping whilst the handle is in the shape of an ear of maize. It is possible that Henry Cole, the Museum's first director, saw this as an example of 'appropriate ornament' drawn 'as directly as possible from Nature' in which the decoration of harvesting children and maize cobs underlined its purpose as a bread knife. People John Bell, a friend of Henry Cole and a successful sculptor, designed this knife for the Felix Summerly Art Manufactures. Cole had adopted the name of Felix Summerly in 1843 when he began to write and produce children's books, having been dissatisfied with the quality of those available for his own family. The Art Manufactures were set up to produce well designed everyday objects designed by the best artists and made by the best manufacturers at affordable prices. This bread knife was made as a reissue of a Felix Summerly design. Although the Art Manufactures were a commercial failure, Henry Cole felt that it had been an important endeavour which should be represented in the new Museum's collection. Historical Context Henry Cole believed that museums could be 'antidotes to brutality and vice' and could serve to improve people's tastes and morals. The desire to improve the taste of the public was a strong one in the 19th century as a response to the social problems linked with industrialisation. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 446-1865 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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