{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O136940"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O136940/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3733/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3733/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NL3733","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NJ5733","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AY6093","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O136940","accessionNumber":"M.86-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"In this piece the artist evokes the natural forms of the sea through the clam shell blade and the bull kelp handle. Natural texture is created through the cross-peened top surface of the blade, the chamfered left edge and the five small pierced holes, reminiscent of breathing holes. There is an effortless transition between blade and handle, sinuous strands of sea weed grip the blade. The natural, dynamic curves are reinforced by the whip like wires of silver which coil from the finial. The smooth globular finial offsets the textured handle, recalling Art Nouveau forms. The piece is naturalistic, capturing the raw beauty of the ocean, enhanced by the distinctive style of the artist.","physicalDescription":"The blade is made in the shape of a <font -i>punctate pandora</font> clam shell.  It carries five oval holes along the right edge, which is slightly rolled down;  the left edge is chamfered. The blade is singly dished and cross-peened on its top surface, reminiscent of the uneven inner surface of the animal;  the underside is completely chased with regular parallel elongated semi-circular reeding that again follows life.  The handle is inspired by the bull kelp, whose chased and ribbed fronds grasp the blade top and bottom sides.  The handle terminates in a spherical bulb from which long vine-like shoots fold down over the fronds.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Beardslee, Candace","id":"A19621"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"piercing","id":"AAT231153"},{"text":"chasing","id":"AAT54016"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sterling silver","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2023NL3733","2023NJ5733","2006AY6093"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES408694"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Washington (state)","id":"x29818"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"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","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"272","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"925 for the sterling standard","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":"Maker's mark for Candace Beardslee","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":"Historical significance: Inspired by her surroundings, Beardslee tries to capture the beauty of her North American homeland. The distinctive features of Puget Sound have been channelled through this fish server, “a perfect vehicle to reflect some of these values”.","historicalContext":"Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers","briefDescription":"Sterling silver, USA, Duvall, Washington, 1997, designed and made by Candace Beardslee.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Helen Clifford, Contemporary Silver, commissioning, designing, collecting, (Merrell) 2000, p.101"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"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.86-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"86","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.113-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2007-07-05","availableToBook":true}}