Fish Slice, "Japanese Pattern"

Artist:Holmes Booth & Haydens

Medium: Silver-plate

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:patented August 5, 1879

Dimensions: 8 9/16 x 2 5/8 x 2 3/16 in. (21.7 x 6.7 x 5.6 cm)

Collections:

Museum Location: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Accession Number: 1990.153

Catalogue Description:
Fish Slice, silver-plate. First third of handle undecorated. Decoration begins with molded narrow zigzag horizontal band, then two small triangles bordered above and below by narrow horizontal bands. Main section of handle bisected by diagonal bamboo branch with molded butterfly in upper area. Crest of handle gently arched with zigzag band fitted into crest with three short diagonal bands below, central band with zigzag between two bands of three florettes in roundels and another horizontal zigzag band below. Reverse with similar decoration, with main motif of bird on asymmetrical leafy branch. Large flat blade with left side a continuous arc, the right curves up at edge and is scalloped. Engraved decoration consists of large bamboo branch intersected by diagonal composed by narrow zigzag band and broader band with quarter sunbursts. In triangular area at handle with partial sunburst and meandering vine. To left flying bird. Band of triangles with half florettes conforms to curved side of blade. Reverse of blade is undecorated. Japanese Pattern. Condition: Very good original condition; plate very bright; overall minor scratching.

Brooklyn Museum