Anthony Bernbaum, founder The peartree collection

The recent Decorative Art and Silver Society tour to Isle of Man led to an unlikely discovery at Peel Cathedral.  The Cathedral holds a 1907 Bishop’s Crozier made of Manx bog wood and silver.  In the arts and crafts Celtic revival style the improbable makers were Ellen Woodward and Agnes Withers based in Notting Hill, London.  Their biography at this link.

Ellen Woodward Agnes Withers Peel Cathedral crozier

I have been exporing Voysey’s comprehensive address book that is part of the RIBA archive. It is both fascinating for who is and isn’t included. Mackintosh is not listed, nor really anyone from the Glasgow School.  Arthur Liberty, John Llewlyn (MD of Liberty)  and Harry Silver are listed, but not Rex Silver or Harry Napper (all of the Silver Studio). Very few enamellists or silversmiths are listed – Alex Fisher is, but there is no Ernestine Mills or Omar Ramsden, or Nelson Dawson, or Gaskins.  Ashbee is of course listed as is the Birmingham Guild and Arthur Dixon separately -that the Guild is listed institutionally does make me wonder about Voysey’s links to the Guild. Also missing of note is The Keswick School and Hardwicke Rawnsley.  I feel there is more to follow-up on here but not sure what!

Delighted to say that the Antiques Trade Gazette (ATG) has this week given  extensive coverage to the just opened Archibald Knox Exhibition “Order and Beauty” at the Manx Museum. See this link to read the article in full.

Archibald Knox “Order and Beauty” is now open at the Manx Museum, Douglas Isle of Man. I spent the most fabulous opening weekend at the Knox symposium with curators, lenders and visitors. The two lectures I gave on Knox timeline of silver design will now be turned into an article for publication.  See link for the BBC’s latest coverage of the opening. Images below of some of the silver exhibits.

Archibald Knox silver Order and Beauty Manx Museum

Celebrating the major forthcoming Archibald Knox exhibition, the Post Office has issued a set of ten Archibald Knox stamps.  The BBC, no less, has covered the launch at this link.  I am delighted that pieces from the Peartree Collection are featured as images on three of the ten stamps.

BBC Isle of Man has covered the pre-launch of the forthcoming Knox Exhibition to be held from April 2025 to March 2026 at the Douglas Museum. See this link.  There will be a series of lectures and events at the opening, including talks by Dr Steve Martin and myself.  Book your flight!

Delighted and grateful to win a Best Object award at the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair 2024.  Details of the winning necklace by Georgie Gaskin can be found at this link.

A video of my stand can be seen at this link

An examination of the Hardman ledgers has identified the specific entry for June 7 1852, priced at £12. Full details have been added to the product write-up in the archive at this link

I am delighted to say that following extensive research, I have just listed two sterling silver pieces designed by Augustus Pugin.