Stunning Collection of Contemporary Silver Servers
Rabinovitch Fish & Cake Servers on loan from the V & A
An outstanding collection of silver fish and cake servers on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A) can be viewed at Fairfax House, York until 31 December 2009.
This is the 25th exhibition to be staged at Fairfax House and it is apt that is included in the 25 years anniversary celebrations, marking the time that Fairfax House opened as a House Museum.
The silver exhibits are part of the Rabinovitch collection given to the V& A in 2005 by Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch, who spent 20 years commissioning silversmiths and collecting these works of art.
Rabinovitch initially started collecting 18th century fish knives as they were relatively easy to find. Then in the 1980s he was approached by the V & A and The Royal College of Art to extend his server collection and to focus entirely on contemporary commissions. He accepted the challenge and sold his modest collection of antique slicers to fund the new collection.
There are 99 pieces in the Rabinovitch collection, it was to be 100 but one maker let him down. The geographical spread takes in 50 British, 45 American and 4 Canadian artists. Rabinovitch gave the artists a loose brief, to design a server (fish or cake) inspired by the 18th century creations and the interpretation was left to them, using their own experiences and styles to influence their designs. The results show some of the best of contemporary silver-smithing in the world.
The entire collection was shown at the V & A for a year when it was handed over to them in 2005, since then they show the occasion piece. This exhibition at Fairfax House, displaying 35 pieces (mostly British artists) is the largest viewing of the exhibition in the world since 2006.
The collectors range from well-established artists including Kevin Coates and Rod Kelly to newer younger artists such as Lucian Talyor and Tara Michelle Comber. Michael Rowe who teaches at Brighton has work on display alongside two of his inspired students, David Clarke and Ane Christensen. There is also a piece include by jeweller Flora Book, wife of Professor Rabinovitch.
Eric Turner, Curator of Metalwork Collections in the Department of Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics & Glass at the V & A, who visited Fairfax House for the opening of the exhibition, said: “We continually encourage museums to borrow this magnificent collection and we were delighted that Fairfax House approached us to display a substantial part of it, allowing the public to view it again. This collection gives a very good cross-section of silversmiths in the late 20th and early 21st century of artists in the UK and USA.”
Peter Brown, Director at Fairfax House said there has been a renaissance in contemporary decorative art in recent years and showing this exhibition at this time was very appropriate. “It is a joy to use the 18th century townhouse setting to display contemporary art which has been inspired by18th century art.
“Our selection captures the technical brilliance and inventive humour of the makers. Utilising elements of sea-life, Scandinavian design sources, fantasy, they also draw upon the timeless elements of the natural world to such forceful effect. We hope that visitors to the House will take the time to view the slicers and to read about the artists’ inspirations.”
This exhibition has been supported by the Friends of Fairfax House. Items from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Adrian Sassoon and private collectors have also supplemented the collection.
This exhibition may be seen at Fairfax House, York, during normal house opening times up unti 31 December (Please note the house is closed on 24, 25, 26 December). Entrance to the exhibition is free with admission to Fairfax House.
A wide selection of high res press pictures are available for media usage please request images from Melanie Paris.
ends
Press Contacts: Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com
or
Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 655543
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk
This is the 25th exhibition to be staged at Fairfax House and it is apt that is included in the 25 years anniversary celebrations, marking the time that Fairfax House opened as a House Museum.
The silver exhibits are part of the Rabinovitch collection given to the V& A in 2005 by Professor B. Seymour Rabinovitch, who spent 20 years commissioning silversmiths and collecting these works of art.
Rabinovitch initially started collecting 18th century fish knives as they were relatively easy to find. Then in the 1980s he was approached by the V & A and The Royal College of Art to extend his server collection and to focus entirely on contemporary commissions. He accepted the challenge and sold his modest collection of antique slicers to fund the new collection.
There are 99 pieces in the Rabinovitch collection, it was to be 100 but one maker let him down. The geographical spread takes in 50 British, 45 American and 4 Canadian artists. Rabinovitch gave the artists a loose brief, to design a server (fish or cake) inspired by the 18th century creations and the interpretation was left to them, using their own experiences and styles to influence their designs. The results show some of the best of contemporary silver-smithing in the world.
The entire collection was shown at the V & A for a year when it was handed over to them in 2005, since then they show the occasion piece. This exhibition at Fairfax House, displaying 35 pieces (mostly British artists) is the largest viewing of the exhibition in the world since 2006.
The collectors range from well-established artists including Kevin Coates and Rod Kelly to newer younger artists such as Lucian Talyor and Tara Michelle Comber. Michael Rowe who teaches at Brighton has work on display alongside two of his inspired students, David Clarke and Ane Christensen. There is also a piece include by jeweller Flora Book, wife of Professor Rabinovitch.
Eric Turner, Curator of Metalwork Collections in the Department of Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics & Glass at the V & A, who visited Fairfax House for the opening of the exhibition, said: “We continually encourage museums to borrow this magnificent collection and we were delighted that Fairfax House approached us to display a substantial part of it, allowing the public to view it again. This collection gives a very good cross-section of silversmiths in the late 20th and early 21st century of artists in the UK and USA.”
Peter Brown, Director at Fairfax House said there has been a renaissance in contemporary decorative art in recent years and showing this exhibition at this time was very appropriate. “It is a joy to use the 18th century townhouse setting to display contemporary art which has been inspired by18th century art.
“Our selection captures the technical brilliance and inventive humour of the makers. Utilising elements of sea-life, Scandinavian design sources, fantasy, they also draw upon the timeless elements of the natural world to such forceful effect. We hope that visitors to the House will take the time to view the slicers and to read about the artists’ inspirations.”
This exhibition has been supported by the Friends of Fairfax House. Items from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Adrian Sassoon and private collectors have also supplemented the collection.
This exhibition may be seen at Fairfax House, York, during normal house opening times up unti 31 December (Please note the house is closed on 24, 25, 26 December). Entrance to the exhibition is free with admission to Fairfax House.
A wide selection of high res press pictures are available for media usage please request images from Melanie Paris.
ends
Press Contacts: Melanie Paris
Tel: 01904 647408
E mail: hello@melanieparis.com
or
Peter Brown
Tel: 01904 655543
Email: peterbrown@fairfaxhouse.co.uk