{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O137799"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O137799/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3732/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3732/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NL3732","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NJ5728","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AY6107","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O137799","accessionNumber":"M.37-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Martin Baker's modelling prowess is evident in this heavy, \"Rococo\" piece.  Like his American counterpart, Robert Butler (also represented in the Rabinovitch collection), Baker is a skilled caster and has used this technique to create a striking server that centres on a crab, taken not only literally as the blade but also as a metaphor, using the movement of a crab claw as inspiration.  The sheer realism of the cast form seizes the imagination, and adds a thrill of drama to the act of serving;  if you are not quick enough the menacing claw locked on the handle might get you!  Our appreciation of realistic modelling, \"captured from life\", ties this server to the cast marine creatures created by the French, eighteenth century silversmiths Thomas Germain (1673-1748) and Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (1695-1750).  Their tureens and sauce boats were topped by silver fishes, shells and crabs, some of them cast from life, and revelling in the same watery environment that Baker has drawn upon.","physicalDescription":"The large blade is a casting of a realistically, modelled crab whose great claw \"holds\" the handle.  The underside is also true to nature with the shell carapace and other anatomical oddments.  The up curved handle is further unified with the blade with strands of gilded seaweed and barnacles.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Baker, Martin","id":"A16809"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"chasing","id":"AAT54016"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver, cast, chased and gilded","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2023NL3732","2023NJ5728","2006AY6107"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"017","id":"THES408708"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"hallmarked","id":"x32454"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1993","earliest":"1993-01-01","latest":"1993-12-31"},"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","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"631","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"London hallmarks for 1993","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 Martin Baker","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":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Fish slice, cast, chased and gilded silver in the form of a crab with seaweed and barnacles, Martin Baker, London 1993","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Rabinovitch, Benton Seymour and Helen Clifford, <font -u>Contemporary Silver; commissioning, designing, collecting</font>, London, Merrell, 2000.  pp.32-33 ill.  ISBN.1858941040"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"crab","id":"x30102"}],"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.37-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"37","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.64-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2007-07-23","availableToBook":true}}