Egg Steamer
1884-1885 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Christopher Dresser, a graduate of the Government School of Design at South Kensington, was one of the most talented designers working in Britain during the second half of the 19th-century. Unlike Ruskin or Morris, he fully accepted the implications of mechanical production, and was always more interested in design than craftsmanship. In 1876 he made his first visit to Japan, which had a profound effect on him. Many of his highly original shapes for metalwork were the result of his interest in mass production techniques combined with his concern for function and performance.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, with ebony handle |
| Brief description | Egg steamer or coddler, silver, Sheffield hallmarks for 1884-85, mark of H. Stratford |
| Physical description | Egg coddler, silver and ebony, Sheffield hallmarks for 1884-5, mark of H. Stratford. The piece, ovoid in plan. The lid conical, flat at the top, with a cylindrical wooden handle clasped by two collars standing on a pillar support. The body, the same shape as the cover and supported on two four-sided legs attached to a shaped lozenge base. Set in the base, a detachable spirit burner with a long fly-away handle. Inside the body, a removable wire fitting with a handle for four eggs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Object history | Christopher Dresser was one of the most talented designers to graduate from the South Kensington, Government School of Design. Unlike Ruskin or Morris, he fully accepted the implications of mechanical production and was always more interested in design than craftsmanship. In 1876, he made his first visit to Japan which had a profound effect upon him. Many of his highly original shapes for metalwork arose out of a dual concern for the techniques for mass production and the function of the articles he designed. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Christopher Dresser, a graduate of the Government School of Design at South Kensington, was one of the most talented designers working in Britain during the second half of the 19th-century. Unlike Ruskin or Morris, he fully accepted the implications of mechanical production, and was always more interested in design than craftsmanship. In 1876 he made his first visit to Japan, which had a profound effect on him. Many of his highly original shapes for metalwork were the result of his interest in mass production techniques combined with his concern for function and performance. |
| Bibliographic reference | Turner, Eric, An Introduction to English Silver from 1660 (V&A Introductions to the Decorative Arts), London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985.
p.34. ill. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.25 to C-1971 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
