{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O83346"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O83346/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O83346","accessionNumber":"M.182-1977","objectType":"Dessert fork","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Fork, silver, with fiddle, thread and shell pattern on handle.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Hayne and Co","id":"A9980"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Die stamping","id":"AAT53224"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver","categories":[{"text":"Eating","id":"THES48963"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Silver","id":"THES251836"},{"text":"Tableware & cutlery","id":"THES48888"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"013","id":"THES408840"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fork","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1836-37","earliest":"1836-01-01","latest":"1837-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Miss D.B. Simpson","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"173","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"230","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at widest point","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"200","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at highest point when lying down","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Marked on the back of the handle with a London hallmark, duty mark, sterling mark of a lion passant, date letter 'A' for 1836-7, maker's mark for Samuel Hayne and Dudley Cater, comprising four copperplate letters, of 'S H' above 'D C'.\r\n\r\nOn the front of the handle, below the shell pattern, is a crest of a boar's head.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"punching","position":"Most marks on back of handle, boar's head on front of handle.","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Most marks on back of handle, boar's head on front of handle.; punching"}],"objectHistory":"Bequeathed by Miss D. B. Simpson","historicalContext":"b>Object Type</b><br>\r\nSmaller forks evolved in the early 18th century as cutlery became specialised. A desire to eat more elegantly prompted the need for table equipment that could be used only at particular times in the meal or with certain foods. The fruit or dessert fork was designed for use with the last course or dessert, which might consist of fresh or candied fruit. A Victorian etiquette book of 1880 advised, 'In eating pears or apples, they would be peeled and cut into halves and quarters with a fruit knife and fork.'<br><br>\r\n\r\n<b>Design & Designing</b><br>\r\nDessert cutlery had always been more highly decorated than that for the earlier courses, to reflect the status and expense of the dessert. Handles, in particular,  were often more ornate. In the Victorian period fruit forks were commonly sold with fruit knives in boxed sets of a dozen.  The manufacturer Elkington & Co. could charge up to £22 a set in 1885 for richly engraved blades with carved handles and accompanying matching knives.<br><br>","briefDescription":"Dessert fork, silver, one of a set of six dessert forks and four dessert spoons, Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, made by Hayne & Co., 1836-37","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Arthur G. Grimwade, 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks and Their Lives', Faber and Faber, 1990 ed., p.182-3, mark ref. 2546"}],"production":"Hallmarking year runs from 29th May 1836- 29th May 1837","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Dessert fork, silver, one of a set of six dessert forks and four dessert spoons  with Fiddle, thread and shell pattern,\r\nMark of Hayne & Co., London, 1836-37\r\nMiss D.B. Simpson Bequest\r\nM.182-1977","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["M.182-1977"],"accessionNumberNum":"182","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1977,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-09","recordCreationDate":"2003-08-13","availableToBook":true}}