{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O137072"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137072/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6333/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6333/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AY6333","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O137072","accessionNumber":"M.116-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The undulating, curvilinear lines of this server evoke ocean currents and marine life. At the rear of the blade \"cut-card\" work spills from the handle like fronds of seaweed. The irregular dips and rolls of the free trowel-shaped blade mirror the ebb and flow of a tide. The fretted patterns on the blade echo the curves of the cut-out, receding back like a dying wave. The upright handle, erect and strong takes the shape of a porpoise tail, its asymmetry complementing the irregularity of the blade and capturing the essence of marine life. The bright pitted surface of the handle, created by a high-speed stone wheel, adds a tactile element to the server enhancing the sense of vitality.  The underside of this server is acid-etched with marine motifs giving subtle detail to this simple piece. Rococo principles are in evidence here applied with the freedom of form that is typical of many American designs.","physicalDescription":"The blade is a modified, free trowel shape with looping, curvilinear undulation.  On the rear one-third of the blade is applied cut-card work, which simulatres finger like seaweed or biomorphic forms creeping over the blade.  The blade and cut-card work have different finishes of scratch brushing.  The handle is an asymetric, twisted porpoise tail;  the bright pitted surface was applied by a high speed stone wheel.  The underside was acid etched with scale and marine forms.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Schweitzer, Andrea","id":"A19655"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"piercing","id":"AAT231153"},{"text":"acid-etching","id":"x39131"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sterling silver, scratch brushed, ground and acid etched","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AY6333"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES408695"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Cleveland, Ohio","id":"x42002"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1994","earliest":"1994-01-01","latest":"1994-12-31"},"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","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"332","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Inscribed:  A SCHWEITZER 1994","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: The practicality of an implement is the main focus of the artist when designing. The creative input of the artist added an element of fun to an essentially useable implement. Schweitzer was able to incorporate individual touches to make the piece \"fun, approachable and functional\". The artist's love of silver as an artistic medium is clear from her creative use of texture and shape.","historicalContext":"Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.","briefDescription":"Silver, United States, Clevland, Ohio, 1994, mark of Andrea Schweitzer.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, <font -u>Contemporary Silver</font>, London, Merrell, 2000, pp.142-3.  ill. ISBN.1858941040"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"THE RABINOVITCH COLLECTION\r\n\r\nThis 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.116-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"116","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.143-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2007-07-10","availableToBook":true}}