Child's porridge bowl and spoon, 1897–98
Mark of Roberts and Belk (British)
Silver, partly gilt

Diam. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
Purchase, Gift of Mrs. Donald Gill, by exchange, 1991 (1991.296.1,.2)

The pieces are marked with a Roman lamp in outline, the mark used by a firm of manufacturing goldsmiths in Sheffield, Roberts and Belk, for handmade products from their art studio.

The design is influenced by Art Nouveau, featuring a languid curvaceousness of the ornament and a naive quality with its repeating flowers between single unattached hearts. This shows a strong admixture of the Arts and Crafts movement. The bowl is inscribed "From Her Majesty Queen Alexandra to Mrs. M. F. Ronalds 1907," probably a christening or Christmas present from the queen to Mrs. Ronald for her daughter Thora. The spoon is engraved in the bowl, "From Queen Alexandra."

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Citation

"Mark of Roberts and Belk: Child's porridge bowl and spoon (1991.296.1,.2)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/19es/ho_1991.296.1,.2.htm (October 2006)