{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O59311"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O59311/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM2251/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AM2251/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AM2251","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O59311/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O59311","accessionNumber":"M.25-2000","objectType":"Crumb scoop","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>The crumb scoop was a dinner table accessory designed to be used by servants before the dessert. The wide blade at the front collected the crumbs, which were held by the low curved rim at the back. As an alternative, families without a crumb scoop might sweep away crumbs with a napkin or a crumber ( a small tray with a brush).<br><br><b>Design & Designing</b><br>Crumb scoops or gatherers could be very plain or elaborately decorative, with heavily engraved blades and fluted ivory or stag horn handles.<br><br><b>The Electroplate Process</b><br>This crumb scoop was made by the electroplating method. The manufacturing firm of Elkington & Co., founded in Birmingham by George Richard Elkington (1801-1865) and his cousin Henry Elkington (about 1810-1852), exploited the development of the new manufacturing process of electroplating, in which silver is deposited on a base metal by the action of an electric current. Elkingtons revolutionised the silver and plating trades throughout the world by marketing electroplate as a cheaper substitute for silver. People of limited means were therefore able to decorate their tables with items that had the look of silver, and thus conveyed wealth and status, but  at a much more affordable price. In 1896 the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company offered solid silver crumb scoops for £2 15s (£2.75), over twice the price of an electroplated example at £1 5s (£1.25).","physicalDescription":"Wide flat horizontal blade with, on the rear side, a low curved rim to retain the crumbs and a long horizontal handle (often of a material other than silver, e.g. ivory or staghorn).   Engraved design of strawberry leaves with beaded decoration around the edge and an ivory handle.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Nickel silver","id":"AAT242125"},{"text":"Ivory","id":"AAT11857"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Electroplated","id":"AAT54000"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Electroplated nickel silver, with engraved design and ivory handle","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Tableware & cutlery","id":"THES48888"},{"text":"British Galleries","id":"THES48985"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AM2251"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"125B (VA)","id":"THES49893"},"free":"","case":"CA2","shelf":"","box":"40"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Crumb scoop","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1870-1900","earliest":"1870-01-01","latest":"1900-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"36","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"8.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"maximum","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/12/1999 by jc","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The crumb scoop was designed to remove crumbs from the table before serving dessert.  It was also called a 'crumb scraper' or 'crumb gatherer' . In the 1880 catalogue of the manufacturer, William Hutton & Sons, similar crumb scoops cost 30 shillings.\r\n\r\nMade in England\n\nHistorical significance: Similar crumb scoops feature in the William Hutton & Sons catalogue of about 1880.  For scoops plated on nickel silver with ivory handles and beaded decoration,  the price is 30 shillings.  \r\n\r\nAlso in the Mappin Brothers catalogue of 1897 - plain styles in \"Queen's\" Plate with ivory handles priced at 21s.  Engraved examples at about 25s.  \r\nElkington & Co. Ltd., ca.1883 - £1 18s for ivory handle, electroplate, 'Elkington's Original Special Extra Heavy Silver Plate, manufactured exclusively by them'.  Crumb brushes were sold for £2 12s 6d.\r\nElectro-plated nickel silver crumb scoops were also sold in the J. Dixon & Sons catalogue of 1892.  \r\nA similar example is priced at 21s.  \r\n\r\nCrumb scoops are part of the expansion in flatware under the Victorians. The formality of dining demanded a large range of correct utensils and strictly regulated manners.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Electroplated crumb scoop, English, late nineteenth century.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Reason For Production: Retail","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nThe crumb scoop was designed to remove crumbs from the table before serving dessert.  It was also called a 'crumb scraper' or 'crumb gatherer'. In the 1880 catalogue of  William Hutton & Sons, similar crumb scoops cost 30 shillings (£1.50p).","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["M.25-2000"],"accessionNumberNum":"25","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2000,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LN2551","2019LP1409","2019LR5827","2019LU2601"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2001-06-01","availableToBook":false}}