{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O83702"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O83702/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O83702","accessionNumber":"M.183:17-1977","objectType":"Dessert fork","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Dessert fork, silver, with fiddle, thread and shell pattern.","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":"012","id":"THES408838"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Dessert fork","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1836-7","earliest":"1807-01-01","latest":"1836-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Miss D.B. Simpson","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"20","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"at highest point when lying down","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"22","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"175","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","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 for 1836-7, maker's mark for Hayne and Co., comprising four copperplate letters of 'SH' above 'DC'.","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, but crest of a boar's head on front of handle.","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Most marks on back of handle, but crest of a boar's head on front of handle.; punching"}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"Smaller 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 26 pieces, including 12 table forks, 6 dessert forks and 8 dessert spoons.  Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, all made by Hayne and Co., 1836-7, except 6 table forks by William Eaton, 1831-2.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Arthur G. Grimwade, 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837', Faber and Faber, London, 1990 ed., p.182-3, mark ref. 2546"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"John Culme, 'The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Traders 1838-1914', Vol. 1, Woodbridge, Antique Collector's Club, 1987, pp.223-4"}],"production":"Hallmarking year runs from 29th May 1836 to 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 26 pieces, including 12 table forks, 6 dessert forks and 8 dessert spoons.  Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, all made by Hayne and Co., 1836-7, except 6 table forks by William Eaton, 1831-2.\r\nMiss D. B. Simpson Bequest\r\nM.183:17-1977","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["M.183:17-1977"],"accessionNumberNum":"183","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1977,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-06-09","recordCreationDate":"2003-08-26","availableToBook":true}}