Spoon, India
Record status
Individual type · partial
Spoon in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 665-1874), made in India. The museum's brief description reads: A spoon with oval bowl, attached curved handle, white nephrite jade, silver, carved, India. Museum description: A spoon with an oval bowl fashioned in off-white nephrite jade, The handle is curved, ending in a small carved leaf and bud. The two are connected via a silver mount which pierces the bowl. The museum records it as White nephrite jade, silver, fashioned using various techniques., measuring Length 131.8 mm; Length 52.4 mm; Width 37.6 mm; Depth 11.5 mm; Thickness 7.5 to 8.0 mm; Thickness 6.5 to 7.0 mm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This spoon of uncertain date and provenance has been fashioned in two parts from white nephrite jade, united by a silver mount. Nephrite is a hard and durable material that requires time, patience and skill to work properly.The spoon was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India and bought from him by the museum in 1874. Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia. He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867. He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- nephrite
- Dimensions
- Length 131.8 mm; Length 52.4 mm; Width 37.6 mm; Depth 11.5 mm; Thickness 7.5 to 8.0 mm; Thickness 6.5 to 7.0 mm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- White nephrite jade, silver, fashioned using various techniques.
- Place recorded
- India
Identification
- Museum object name
- Spoon
- Museum object number
- 665-1874
- Museum system number
- O472435
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.