{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O136953"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O136953/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6358/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6358/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AY6358","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O136953","accessionNumber":"M.77-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The simple design of this \"flying-fish\" server has a powerful visual impact. The elliptical blade is reminiscent of late 18th century servers, contradicted by the dynamism of the handle, shaped as the streamlined tail of a flying fish. The detail on the surface of this simple design brings it to life. Engraved scales and waves decorate the entire surface and dramatic piercing creates a fin effect. The sense of action is captured through the sweeping fin pattern on the blade, aligned with the tail of the handle. The aerodynamic form and bold decoration of this piece create an exciting feeling of suppressed energy.","physicalDescription":"The server takes the form of an abstracted flying fish.  The blade is a complete ellipse.  It is totally decorated with scales and waves and flying fish fin engraving, brought out dramatically by apt piercing.  The handle is mounted as a rising fish tail, with wing like effect, and is engraved with scales and close lines over its surface.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Stewart, Graham","id":"A19623"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53829"},{"text":"piercing","id":"AAT231153"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sterling silver","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Scotland","id":"THES262877"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AY6358"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"007","id":"THES408698"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Edinburgh","id":"x28816"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1992","earliest":"1992-01-01","latest":"1992-12-31"},"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":"30.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"553","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Edinburgh marks for 1992","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 Graham Stewart","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":"Fairfax House Fish & Cake Slice exhibition RF.2004/419\n\nHistorical significance: Stewart's devotion to nature can be seen in the elegance and vitality of  this abstracted flying-fish. Inspired by their graceful flight and wonderful interaction with the environment, Stewart has beautifully translated his impression of the fly-fish into silver.","historicalContext":"Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.","briefDescription":"Silver, Edinburgh hallmarks for 1992, mark of Graham Stewart.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford,<font -u>Contemporary Silver, commissioning, designing, collecting</font>, London, Merrell, 2000, pp.88-9. ill. ISBN. 1858941040"}],"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.77-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"77","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.104-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-01","recordCreationDate":"2007-07-05","availableToBook":true}}