Gravy boat

Classification(s):
Metal
Date: c.1951 - 1976
Organisation: A.B. Gense (Swedish)
Organisation: Liberty (English, founded 1875)
Dimensions:
110 × 150 mm (11 × 15 cm)
Medium: Stainless steel
Object number: CC038
Place of Production:Sweden
DescriptionStainless steel gravy boat with curled handle, manufactured by Gense. Made in Sweden. Retailed through Liberty, London. Makers mark to base.


ProvenanceThis object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.

The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.

The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.

The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.

COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.

After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.

The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.

ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.

NotesThis object was circulated to London schools as part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (I.L.E.A) Circulating Design Scheme, which operated from 1951-1976. The stainless steel sauceboat featured in the ‘Metals and their qualities’ group in case number 1. The boxed showcase describes the different manufacturing techniques for shaping metals, including examples of casting, forging, pressing, stamping, spinning and machining. This object was originally acquired from Liberty, London. The associated record card indicates the boxed showcase was in use from 1969-74. Original photograph of boxed showcase copyright Tessa Grimshaw, London.

Founded in 1856, A.B. Gense is one of the leading cutlers in Europe. The company manufactured stainless steel, cutlery and kitchenware.