{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O137209"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137209/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6110/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AY6110/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AY6110","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O137209","accessionNumber":"M.38-2008","objectType":"Cake slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Gerald Benney uses precious metals, gemstones, enamels and hardwoods in his fabrications.  His work usually displays one or more of several decorative features;  polished silver forms, peened textured surfaces (called Bennellation!), and enamelled areas.  This server illustrates the first and last of these.  The style follows early eighteenth century tradition.  It is a highly functional implement of classic beauty, line and style, whose clean look harmonizes both function and decoration.  It is timeless in its crisp simplicity and elegance of proportion.  The woven effect on the handle, created by engraving and then floating enamel over the surface, is remiscent of eighteenth century wares whose handles were wickered to prevent the transmission of heat.  The rich decoration of the handle is set off by the cool, polished geometry of the handle.  The server stands firmly on the table, its handle raised to invite its grasp.","physicalDescription":"The blade of the trowel is a highly polished isoceles triangle that is decorated with a single, circumscribing thread.  The blade is bevelled along both edges.  The junction boss is an oval tube that lifts to a horizontal handle of oval cross section.  The handle is decorated on its upper surface with <font -i>basse taille</font>, a honey coloured transparent enamel that reveals an engraved basket weave pattern that echoes the finishing technique of wickering.  The handle termintaes in an upswept  silver oval finial.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Benney, Gerald (CBE, RDI)","id":"A7486"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"},{"text":"enamel","id":"AAT14910"}],"techniques":[{"text":"basse-taille","id":"AAT53775"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Sterling silver and enamel","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AY6110"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"020","id":"THES408711"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Cake slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Beenham","id":"x39265"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"hallmarked","id":"x32454"},"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":"31.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"300","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"London hallmarks 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 Gerald Benney","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 piece is a projection of the artists' personal design theme, timeless in style yet with unmistakable touches distinctive of the artist.","historicalContext":"Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.","briefDescription":"Silver and enamel, London hallmarks for 1992, designed and made by Gerald Benney, CBE, RDI.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Rabinovitch, Benton Seymour and Helen Clifford, <font -u>Contemporary Silver, commissioning, designing, collecting</font>, London, Merrell, 2000 pp.34-35.  ill.  ISBN:  1858941040"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.38-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"38","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.65-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2007-07-12","availableToBook":true}}