Child's porridge spoon

Roberts and Belk

1897–98 · Silver · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The pieces (see also 1991.296.1) are marked with a Roman lamp in outline, the mark used by a firm of manufacturing goldsmiths in Sheffield, Roberts and Belk, for handmade products from their art studio. The design is influenced by Art Nouveau, featuring a languid curvaceousness of the ornament and a naive quality with its repeating flowers between single unattached hearts. This shows a strong admixture of the Arts and Crafts movement. The bowl is inscribed "From Her Majesty Queen Alexandra to Mrs. M. F. Ronalds 1907," probably a christening or Christmas present from the queen to Mrs. Ronald for her daughter Thora. The spoon is engraved in the bowl, "From Queen Alexandra."

Artist

Roberts and Belk

Date

1897–98

Medium

Silver

Culture

British, Sheffield

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Mrs. Donald Gill, by exchange, 1991