Spoon, Berlin, ca. 1908, 1902
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1908, 1902
Spoon in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number M.31-1993), made in Berlin, dated ca. 1908, 1902, attributed to Velde, Henry van de. The museum's brief description reads: Spoon, silver, designed by Henry van de Velde, Germany c.1905-6..
Museum description: The silver spoon has an ovoid bowl and is connected to a narrow stem with chamfered edges which curve and spread towards a flat handle. The museum records it as Silver, measuring Length 22.5 cm; Width 4.05 cm; Weight 87.6 g. 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
The design originated in a commission that the State of Weimar gave to van de Velde. It was for presentation to the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar in 1902. Henri Van de Velde studied painting at the Antwerp Academy, but in 1892 he decided to become a designer. He was greatly influenced by the writings of John Ruskin and William Morris. By 1898 he had founded his own studio and factory near Brussels. In 1900 he moved his office to Berlin. He was a prolific writer, and wrote many articles in which he stressed the importance of line in ornament. His early graphic designs are often completely abstract. His early metalwork designs also show great freedom and invention in the prevailing Art Nouveau style.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Dimensions
- Length 22.5 cm; Width 4.05 cm; Weight 87.6 g
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver
- Maker recorded
- Velde, Henry van de
- Place recorded
- Berlin
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- left hand edge of stem: “925” denoting purity, German standard mark, crown, moon no maker’s mark
Identification
- Museum object name
- Spoon
- Museum object number
- M.31-1993
- Museum system number
- O94983
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.