Spoon Holder 1886 - 1889

This elegant spoon holder was created by Dalzell, Gilmore and Leighton in the late 19th century, using glass. The overall impression is one of delicate beauty, primarily due to the colour and form. The gentle, reddish-pink hue of the glass gives a warm glow, while the raised floral design lends a tactile quality. The composition is structured by the repetition of simple floral motifs, creating a rhythmic pattern around the holder. The symmetry and delicate nature of the design evoke the aesthetic principles of the late Victorian era, which favoured ornamentation and a romantic view of nature. But consider this: does this object merely reflect the values of its time, or does it subtly challenge them? The mass production of such decorative items allowed for the democratization of luxury goods, disrupting traditional class boundaries. The spoon holder functions not only as a useful object but also as a statement piece, embodying the complex interplay between art, industry, and social change.