{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O347704"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O347704/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE3198/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE3198/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE3198","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JU1753","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O347704/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O347704","accessionNumber":"A.93-1936","objectType":"Spoon","titles":[{"title":"Europa and the Bull","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This is one of a set of five decorative spoons made by Sir Alfred Gilbert probably around 1903 and they were amongst items left in the artist's studio in Kensington Palace at the time of his death in 1934. The lacquered wooden ladles are Japanese and painted in geometric designs. Dorment suggested they might have been purchased at Liberty's indicating that Gilbert was attracted to the decoration of objects, quite apart from any intention to realise them in silver. This would have pointed to a production date of ca. 1930. However they may date from an earlier period. Gilbert's early interest in intricate working is mentioned in an interview in the 'Easter Art Annual' of 1903. There is also an article of Hatton which includes an illustration showing sketch models for various objects, including spoons. Gilbert's passion for designing keys and spoons dates from the early 1890s.\n\nSir Alfred Gilbert (1854-1934) was a famous British sculptor of the late 19th century. He was also medallist, goldsmith and draughtsman. He was known for his inventiveness and characteristically used many different materials in the same work. He epitomised the movement known as the “New Sculpture”, with a new focus on naturalistic forms. His many commissions included for example the celebrated figure of Eros, part of the Shaftsbury memorial.","physicalDescription":"Wax and other materials applied to caddy-spoons. In each case a short-stemmed spoon of lacquered and painted wood forms the bowl and stem. The tops are modelled in wax upon foundations of wire and split cane. A girl astride the shoulders of a bull. The spoon is covered with foil.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Gilbert, Alfred (Sir)","id":"A8429"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wax","id":"AAT14585"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"}],"techniques":[{"text":"painted","id":"x30138"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Wax and other materials applied to a wood caddy spoon","categories":[{"text":"Tableware & cutlery","id":"THES48888"},{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SCP","id":"THES48600"},"images":["2006AE3198","2017JU1753"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES395974"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Spoon","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1903","earliest":"1898-01-01","latest":"1907-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"probably; Dorment earlier suggested a date of ca. 1930. However they may date from an earlier period. Gilbert's early interest in intricate working is mentioned in an interview in the 'Easter Art Annual' of 1903. There is also an article of Hatton which includes an illustration showing sketch models for various objects, including spoons."}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Presented by Art Fund and Mr. Sigismund Goetze","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"23.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This set of five spoons were amongst items left in the artist's studio at the time of his death in 1934. Purchased by Mr Sigismund Goetze and the National Art-Collections Fund from the Executors of Gilbert's estate. Given by Mr Sigismund Goetze and the National Art-Collections Fund to the Museum in 1936 together with A.88-92 and 98, 99-1936.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Spoon, with wax and painted wood finial, depicting Europa and the Bull, by A. Gilbert, English, probably ca. 1903","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie. <u>British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.</u>  London: V& A Publications, 2002, pp. 283-4, cat. no. 434"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Bury, Adrian, <u>The Shadow of Eros</u>, London, 1954, p. 70"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Cox, Machell E., <u>Commemorative Catalogue of an exhibition of models and designs by the late Sir Alfred Gilbert R.A.</u>, exh. cat., Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Oxford, 1936, p. 27, cat. no. 48, pl. XX"},{"reference":{"text":"Dorment, Richard et al., <i>Alfred Gilbert, Sculptor and Goldsmith</i>, London : Royal Academy of Arts, 1986","id":"AUTH354503"},"details":"no. 63","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Europa","id":"N197"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"bull","id":"AAT152044"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.93-1936"],"accessionNumberNum":"93","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1936,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-09-23","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":false}}