{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O64321"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O64321/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2015HK2711/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2015HK2711/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2015HK2711","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O64321","accessionNumber":"M.16:2-2000","objectType":"Fork","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The pattern on this stainless steel fork is called Sea Drift. Robert Welch (1929-2000) designed the range for his own retail outlets in 1999, when a single place setting cost £42. \r\n\r\nRobert Welch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art in London as a silversmith before beginning work at the small firm of J. & J. Wiggin. At that time it was the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware. \r\n\r\nIn 1955 he became Wiggin's design consultant and also moved to Chipping Camden in Gloucestershire and set up his own workshop. His successful firm concentrated on domestic design, including pottery, glass, a range of decorative cast iron, light fittings and cutlery. In 1965 he was made Royal Designer for Industry.","physicalDescription":"Hollow handled four-tined fork curved inwards to fit the hand.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Welch, Robert","id":"A2965"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Stainless steel","id":"AAT10920"}],"techniques":[{"text":"forging","id":"AAT54033"},{"text":"polishing","id":"AAT53867"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Polished 18/10 stainless steel","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Tableware & cutlery","id":"THES48888"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2015HK2711"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"67","id":"THES49731"},"free":"","case":"4","shelf":"4","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fork","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Great Britain","id":"x32019"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1999","earliest":"1999-01-01","latest":"1999-12-31"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"M.16:1-2000","id":"O64319"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"M.16:3-2000","id":"O64322"},"association":"Set"}],"creditLine":"Given by Robert Welch","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"20.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"This set of cutlery was donated by Robert Welch to the Metalwork department for the new display: 'International silver: 1900-2000' which opened November 2000 in the refurbished Silver Gallery.\n\nHistorical significance: Robert Welch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art as a silversmith before beginning work at the small firm of J&J Wiggin. At that time J&J Wiggin were the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware, marketed under the name 'Old Hall'. In 1955, he was appointed Wiggin's design consultant, a role which lasted until the firm closed down in 1984. \n\r\nWelch also moved to Chipping Campden in 1955 and set up a workshop in the Old Silk Mill. His successful firm concentrated on domestic design including pottery, glass, a range of decorative cast iron, light fittings and cutlery. \n\r\nIn 1965, he was made Royal Designer for industry and in 1979, awarded an MBE.\n\r\nThe 'Sea Drift' pattern was designed in 1999 for his own design retail outlets. A single place setting originally retailed for £42.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Stainless steel fork in 'Sea Drift' pattern designed by Robert Welch.","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":[],"partNumbers":["M.16:2-2000"],"accessionNumberNum":"16","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2000,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-23","recordCreationDate":"2002-03-08","availableToBook":false}}