Romney Plain Pine
Cutlery Set
1936 (made)
1936 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Walter Patrick Belk initially designed this service for the tourist class (2nd class) dining room of the Queen Mary. It proved so popular that it was also used for another of Cunard’s transatlantic liners, the Queen Elizabeth, sister ship of the Queen Mary.
In the first half of the 20th century, Roberts and Belk were a well-known firm of manufacturing platers and silversmiths. They had been established in Sheffield in 1810. In 1901 the firm converted into a limited liability company, the first directors being Charles Belk and Walter Belk. In 1961 it was purchased by the London manufacturing silversmiths, C. J. Vander Ltd.
Traditionally, Roberts and Belk had a ‘high-class’ goods range – ‘ every piece designed by the firm’s own staff’. Walter Belk (1872-1963) was originally an architect. As director of this important firm, he was immensely supportive of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s schemes to improve design in silver. He was elected to the Livery of the Company in 1929.
In the first half of the 20th century, Roberts and Belk were a well-known firm of manufacturing platers and silversmiths. They had been established in Sheffield in 1810. In 1901 the firm converted into a limited liability company, the first directors being Charles Belk and Walter Belk. In 1961 it was purchased by the London manufacturing silversmiths, C. J. Vander Ltd.
Traditionally, Roberts and Belk had a ‘high-class’ goods range – ‘ every piece designed by the firm’s own staff’. Walter Belk (1872-1963) was originally an architect. As director of this important firm, he was immensely supportive of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s schemes to improve design in silver. He was elected to the Livery of the Company in 1929.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | Romney Plain Pine (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Electroplated nickel silver, the blade of stainless steel |
| Brief description | Electroplated nickel silver, the knife with a stainless steel blade, Sheffield, 1932-36, made by Roberts and Belk Ltd., designed by Walter Patrick Belk |
| Physical description | Cutlery set, the table knife with a stainless steel blade, a straight leading edge, rounded tip and a curved cutting edge, the haft of electroplated nickel silver, chamfered edges and corners, stamped with a fleche pattern. The fork, electroplated nickel silver, three tines, the outer ones tapering slightly inwards, the handle a tapered stem reducing towards the bowl, chamfered edges and corners and stamped with a fleche pattern. The dessert spoon, electroplate, oval bowl with a pointed tip, the handle as for the fork. |
| Marks and inscriptions | ROBERTS & BELK LTD / FURNIVAL WORKS / SHEFFIELD / RUSTLESS (On the blade) |
| Object history | Registered Design number: Rd. 798068 |
| Summary | Walter Patrick Belk initially designed this service for the tourist class (2nd class) dining room of the Queen Mary. It proved so popular that it was also used for another of Cunard’s transatlantic liners, the Queen Elizabeth, sister ship of the Queen Mary. In the first half of the 20th century, Roberts and Belk were a well-known firm of manufacturing platers and silversmiths. They had been established in Sheffield in 1810. In 1901 the firm converted into a limited liability company, the first directors being Charles Belk and Walter Belk. In 1961 it was purchased by the London manufacturing silversmiths, C. J. Vander Ltd. Traditionally, Roberts and Belk had a ‘high-class’ goods range – ‘ every piece designed by the firm’s own staff’. Walter Belk (1872-1963) was originally an architect. As director of this important firm, he was immensely supportive of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s schemes to improve design in silver. He was elected to the Livery of the Company in 1929. |
| Bibliographic reference | Carol Hogben ed., British Art and Design 1900-1960, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1983. pp.136-7. ill. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.121B-1937 |
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| Record created | March 12, 2004 |
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