Christening spoon, Ramsden, Omar, 1911-1912
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1911-1912
Christening spoon, Ramsden, Omar, 1911-1912 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1911-1912. The museum's brief description reads: Christening spoon.
Museum description: Spoon, silver with an oval bowl, plain stem of rectangular section terminating in a shaped roundel containing a chased thistle which was apparently wrought separately and then applied. The museum record gives material recorded as silver; measurements Length 16.9 cm; Width 4.2 cm; Depth 1.7 cm; place associated: London; maker recorded: Ramsden, Omar, Carr, Alwyn. These details come from the holding 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
Object TypeThe christening ceremony acknowledged a child's acceptance into the Christian Church. This gift of a bowl and spoon to Carol Vinson by her grandmother was the first of three christening presents over three years. In 1912 the child received a silver goblet, and in 1913 a child's cutlery set of a knife, fork and spoon. All these pieces were made by Omar Ramsden (1873-1939) and Alwyn Carr (1872-1940).Design & DesigningThe shape of the bowl is adapted from the traditional form of a Scottish 'quaich'. A quaich, derived from the Gaelic word for cup, cuach, was originally a shallow, two-handled drinking vessel carved from solid wood. Omar Ramsden became particularly interested in adapting medieval prototypes and reinterpreting them in an Arts and Crafts style. This interest in historic silver had been kindled by the antiquary St John Hope, whom Ramsden met early in his career.PeopleOmar Ramsden trained as a designer and silversmith at the Sheffield School of Art, Yorkshire, but spent his entire working career in London. He set up in partnership with Alwyn Carr, a fellow graduate, in 1899. When Carr returned from World War I in 1918 he left the partnership, and Ramsden managed the workshop and studio alone until his death in 1939.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Dimensions
- Length 16.9 cm; Width 4.2 cm; Depth 1.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver, chased and cast
- Maker recorded
- Ramsden, Omar, Carr, Alwyn
- Place recorded
- London
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- London hallmarks for 1911-12; Mark of Ramsden and Carr
Identification
- Museum attribution
- Ramsden, Omar
- Museum object name
- Christening spoon
- Museum object number
- M.19A-1973
- Museum system number
- O80251
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 materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the museum record and a specialist reference.