On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Christening Spoon

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.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, chased and cast
Brief description
Christening spoon
Physical description
Spoon, silver with an oval bowl, plain stem of rectangular section terminating in a shaped roundel containing a chased thistle which was apparently wrought separately and then applied.
Dimensions
  • Length: 16.9cm
  • Width: 4.2cm
  • Depth: 1.7cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 10/12/1998 by sf
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1911-12
  • Mark of Ramsden and Carr
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
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.
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.19A-1973

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Record createdApril 29, 2003
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