{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O154392"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O154392/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3738/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NL3738/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NL3738","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2023NJ5726","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AY6078","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O154392","accessionNumber":"M.50-2008","objectType":"Fish slice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"With his deep concern about the diminishing range of skills within the industry, Anthony Elson’s designs endeavour to combine these skills with rare imagination. One may see something of Art Nouveau in the disposition of the tail of this amazing creature, but it is a resemblance forced at least in part by the craftsman’s necessity to fashion a handle from the body of an animal. The piece it self mirrors Elson’s innate artistry and aesthetically original turn of mind, which finds no obvious precedence in stylistic history. The deep black surface, with its striking contrast to the polished parts, presents a beautiful surface property of silver that has rarely, if ever, been exploited so successfully before. This rich black creature seems to slither across the table; it has a life of its own.","physicalDescription":"This server is in the shape of a deep-sea eel-a gulper (Eupharynx pelacanoides) which lives at a depth of one mile on the ocean floor. The cast body is heavily oxidised over a chased matte surface and has assumed the wonderful quality of black velvet. The fluted spinal, dorsal and pectoral fins and the eye are bright silver, as is a row of spots along the body. They provide exciting contrast. The tail has been brought back and loops to form part of the handle.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Elson, Anthony","id":"A22804"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"'oxidised' sterling silver","id":"x42530"}],"techniques":[{"text":"oxidation","id":"AAT220235"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver, partly oxidised","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2023NL3738","2023NJ5726","2006AY6078"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"013","id":"THES408704"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fish slice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"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":"31.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"400","unit":"g","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"16","unit":"cm","qualifier":"approximate","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 Anthony Elson","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":"Fish & Cake slice exhibition RF.2004/419","historicalContext":"Part of a collection of fish slices commissioned by Professor Rabinovitch from contemporary North American and British makers.","briefDescription":"Silver, London hallmarks for 1993, mark of Anthony Elson","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Benton Seymour Rabinovitch and Helen Clifford, <font -u>Contemporary Silver, commissioning designing collecting</font>, London, Merrell, pp.46-47. 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.50-2008"],"accessionNumberNum":"50","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2008,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.77-2005"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2017JU8012","2017KM9418"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2008-05-09","availableToBook":true}}