Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Toast Rack

1833-1834 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Toast racks, designed to hold a selection of toast on the breakfast table, first appeared in the 1780s as part of the general refinement of dining customs among the middle classes. A variety of designs was initially explored (for example, articulated racks) before the simple arrangement of parallel arches became standard.

The manufacturing business of Edward Barnard and Sons was a large and successful firm supplying retailers all over the country with good quality silver.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, raised and chased, with applied pieces
Brief description
Silver, London hallmarks for 1833-34, mark of Barnard and Sons
Physical description
Silver, oblong base with gadrooned borders, the corners enriched with shell and leaf ornaments; on four scroll feet, seven arched and reeded divisions, the centre surmounted by a ring handle with shell and leaf decoration. Engraved with a crest.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.2cm
  • Length: 18.2cm
  • Width: 10.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • On base: Makers, Edward Barnard, Edward Barnard Jnr, John and William Barnard, leopard, duty, date, sterling. 963 scratched on base
  • Engraved wiith a crest (Unidentified)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Reginald Dyson
Object history
Acquisition RF: 43 / 1020
Bequest - R J Dyson Esq.
The manufacturing business of Edward Barnard and Sons was a large and successful firm supplying retailers all over the country with good quality silver.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Toast racks, designed to hold a selection of toast on the breakfast table, first appeared in the 1780s as part of the general refinement of dining customs among the middle classes. A variety of designs was initially explored (for example, articulated racks) before the simple arrangement of parallel arches became standard.

The manufacturing business of Edward Barnard and Sons was a large and successful firm supplying retailers all over the country with good quality silver.
Collection
Accession number
M.38-1943

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Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
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