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Honey pot with cover and spoon
Olaf Skoogfors (American (born in Sweden), 1930–1975)
about 1966
Object Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Medium/Technique
Silver, ivory
Dimensions
Overall (honey pot with cover): 20 x 7 cm (7 7/8 x 2 3/4 in.)
Overall (spoon): 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Overall (spoon): 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Claire van Vliet
Accession Number1992.287a-c
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsContemporary Art, Americas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
With its trademark thin gauge and seamed form, this set follows Scandinavian metalsmithing practices that Olaf Skoogfors learned in Rochester from Hans Christensen and Jack Prip. The softly modulated surface, however, is at odds with the flawless mirror finish typically found among silver by graduates of the School for American Craftsmen. The surface treatment, achieved by thorough planishing and polishing, was specifically requested by Claire van Vliet, Skoogfor’s colleague.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
DescriptionThe gourd-shaped seamed vessel has a soldered flat base. The raised bell-shaped lid rises to a tall, twisted ivory finial. A bezel soldered inside the rim of the lid seats on a flange inside the rim of the vessel. The slender spoon with forged, elongated lozenge-shaped handle is soldered to a shallow hemispherical bowl. Hammer marks are evident on the interior and exterior of the body and lid as well as the bowl of the spoon, as requested by the donor, who disliked finely planished silver. The spoon was designed to fit within the honey pot.
Marks
"OLAF SKOOGFORS / STERLING" in block letters stamped incuse on center of base. Lid and spoon are unmarked.
InscriptionsNone
ProvenanceThe donor, graphic designer Claire van Vliet, was a recipient of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant and faculty member with Skoogfors in Philadelphia during the 1960s. Van Vliet received the honey pot from the artist about 1966 in exchange for an example of her own work. Made a gift to the Museum in 1992.
CopyrightReproduced with permission.