Christening Bowl
1911-1912 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The christening ceremony acknowledged a child's acceptance into the Christian Church. This gift of a bowl and spoon to Carol Vinson by her grandmother was the first of three christening presents over three years. In 1912 the child received a silver goblet, and in 1913 a child's cutlery set of a knife, fork and spoon. All these pieces were made by Omar Ramsden (1873-1939) and Alwyn Carr (1872-1940).
Design & Designing
The shape of the bowl is adapted from the traditional form of a Scottish 'quaich'. A quaich, derived from the Gaelic word for cup, cuach, was originally a shallow, two-handled drinking vessel carved from solid wood. Omar Ramsden became particularly interested in adapting medieval prototypes and reinterpreting them in an Arts and Crafts style. This interest in historic silver had been kindled by the antiquary St John Hope, whom Ramsden met early in his career.
People
Omar Ramsden trained as a designer and silversmith at the Sheffield School of Art, Yorkshire, but spent his entire working career in London. He set up in partnership with Alwyn Carr, a fellow graduate, in 1899. When Carr returned from World War I in 1918 he left the partnership, and Ramsden managed the workshop and studio alone until his death in 1939.
The christening ceremony acknowledged a child's acceptance into the Christian Church. This gift of a bowl and spoon to Carol Vinson by her grandmother was the first of three christening presents over three years. In 1912 the child received a silver goblet, and in 1913 a child's cutlery set of a knife, fork and spoon. All these pieces were made by Omar Ramsden (1873-1939) and Alwyn Carr (1872-1940).
Design & Designing
The shape of the bowl is adapted from the traditional form of a Scottish 'quaich'. A quaich, derived from the Gaelic word for cup, cuach, was originally a shallow, two-handled drinking vessel carved from solid wood. Omar Ramsden became particularly interested in adapting medieval prototypes and reinterpreting them in an Arts and Crafts style. This interest in historic silver had been kindled by the antiquary St John Hope, whom Ramsden met early in his career.
People
Omar Ramsden trained as a designer and silversmith at the Sheffield School of Art, Yorkshire, but spent his entire working career in London. He set up in partnership with Alwyn Carr, a fellow graduate, in 1899. When Carr returned from World War I in 1918 he left the partnership, and Ramsden managed the workshop and studio alone until his death in 1939.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, chased and cast |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1911-12, mark of Ramsden and Carr |
| Physical description | Silver, shallow bowl with moulded rim extending to two handles with a chased motif of crossed thistles; low turned with roll moulding. The bowl has been left with the hammer nmarks showing. The design of the piece inspired by the traditional, Scottish, quaich. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
It was traditional to buy or commission gifts to celebrate the christening of a child. Silver was popular since it could be engraved with inscriptions for the occasion. This example is modelled on the traditional shape of a Scottish 'quaich' and is decorated with thistles.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Carol M. Vinson |
| Object history | Made in London by Omar Ramsden (born in Sheffield, 1873, died in London, 1939) and Alwyn Carr (born in Sheffield, 1872, died in London, 1940) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type The christening ceremony acknowledged a child's acceptance into the Christian Church. This gift of a bowl and spoon to Carol Vinson by her grandmother was the first of three christening presents over three years. In 1912 the child received a silver goblet, and in 1913 a child's cutlery set of a knife, fork and spoon. All these pieces were made by Omar Ramsden (1873-1939) and Alwyn Carr (1872-1940). Design & Designing The shape of the bowl is adapted from the traditional form of a Scottish 'quaich'. A quaich, derived from the Gaelic word for cup, cuach, was originally a shallow, two-handled drinking vessel carved from solid wood. Omar Ramsden became particularly interested in adapting medieval prototypes and reinterpreting them in an Arts and Crafts style. This interest in historic silver had been kindled by the antiquary St John Hope, whom Ramsden met early in his career. People Omar Ramsden trained as a designer and silversmith at the Sheffield School of Art, Yorkshire, but spent his entire working career in London. He set up in partnership with Alwyn Carr, a fellow graduate, in 1899. When Carr returned from World War I in 1918 he left the partnership, and Ramsden managed the workshop and studio alone until his death in 1939. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.19-1973 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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