{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O117784"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O117784/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6085/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6085/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AY6085","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O117784","accessionNumber":"M.36-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Asquith's server unites function and decoration in a stylish response to the design brief.  Simplicity of form belies a keen knowledge of the material.  By cutting, fretting, bending and polishing, a single sheet of silver has been given life and form.  The handle arches up into the grasp, the tail flicked down to act as a support, but also as a focus of energy.  The piercing creates both lightness and a sense of movement.  This fish appears as slippery as its real life inspiration.","physicalDescription":"The blade is in the form of a fish whose tail bends over to form the handle and rest.  It is highly polished and is pierced and engraved with a fluid sweeping pattern of circles, scrolls and arcs.  It displays a charming, pierced, toothed mouth. The decoration comes to the top of the handle arc.  The blade is asymmetric with implied fins on both sides.  The edges are heavily bevelled.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Asquith, Brian","id":"A12949"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"piercing","id":"AAT231153"},{"text":"engraving (incising)","id":"AAT53829"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver, pierced and engraved","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Food vessels & Tableware","id":"THES48952"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AY6085"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"AMS","id":"THES49692"},"free":"","case":"CBTEMP 1","shelf":"17","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Sheffield","id":"x29138"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"Sheffield","id":"x29138"},"association":{"text":"hallmarked","id":"x32454"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1997","earliest":"1997-01-01","latest":"1997-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"28.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"370","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Sheffield assay marks for 1997","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""},{"content":"Mark of Brian Asquith","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Fish & Cake slice exhibition RF.2004/419","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Fish slice, Sheffield hallmarks for 1997, designed and made by Brian Asquith.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Rabinovitch, Benton Seymour and Helen Clifford, <font -u>Contemporary Silver: commissioning, designing, collecting</font>, London, Merrell, 2000  pp.30-31 ill.  ISBN. 1858941040"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"fish","id":"x30068"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"This collection of silver slices, all commissioned over a period of twenty years by Professor Benton Seymour Rabinovitch FRS, is proof of the skill and diversity of contemporary silversmiths.  Each artist craftsman has responded to the familiar functional form of the slice in an individual way, producing an astonishingly diverse range of interpretations.  Each piece becomes an enchanting, decorative work of art. Professor Rabinovitch established a close rapport with each artist, always encouraging a freedom of creative expression.  The response of these silversmiths has been not only to be strikingly imaginative but also to honour him by giving him their best work.\r\n\r\nThis collection is testimony to the significant contribution that one individual can make to supporting the craft of silversmithing.  After commissioning work from some of the most illustrious names in British and North American silversmithing, Professor Rabinovitch has very generously donated his entire collection to the Victoria and Albert Museum, through the American Friends of the V&A.","date":{"text":"2005","earliest":"2005-01-01","latest":"2005-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["M.36-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"36","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.63-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-08","recordCreationDate":"2005-10-20","availableToBook":true}}