{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O64322"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O64322/"}},"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":"O64322","accessionNumber":"M.16:3-2000","objectType":"Spoon","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This stainless steel spoon is part of a place setting in the Sea Drift pattern. Robert Welch (1929-2000) designed it in 1999 for his own retail outlets, where a single place setting sold for £42.\r\n\r\nWelch was a distinguished designer, manufacturer and silversmith. He trained at the Royal College of Art in London as a silversmith and then joined the small firm of J. & J. Wiggin. At that time it was the only British firm manufacturing stainless steel tableware. In 1955 he became Wiggin's design consultant and moved to Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, where he set up a 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 and in 1979 awarded an MBE.","physicalDescription":"Hollow handled table spoon 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 (metal forming)","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":"Spoon","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.16:2-2000","id":"O64321"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"M.16:1-2000","id":"O64319"},"association":"Set"}],"creditLine":"Given by Robert Welch","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"17.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"maximum","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"SEA DRIFT R.WELCH 18/10 INT DES REG DM/04/1900","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"Stamping","position":"Back of spoon","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"Design registration","note":"Design registration; Back of spoon; Stamping"}],"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.  Welch 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. \r\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 spoon 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.16:3-2000"],"accessionNumberNum":"16","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2000,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2002-03-08","availableToBook":false}}