Price range: £1,925

I am delighted to have this fabulous Harold Stabler cloisonne enamel plaque back for sale.  This is one of a small number Stabler’s cloisonne enamels in an early deco style that Stabler produced around 1914-16.  This specific plaque was published in an article on Stabler’s work in the Studio Journal Volume 64, March 1915, page 35.  Originally one of a set of four similarly styled plaques for a casket, Stabler clearly decided to frame them after the Studio was published – see images. It was not until I handled the plaque that I fully appreciated its jewel like quality and complex design.

I will stick my neck out and say that Harold Stabler (1872-1945) is one of the most important British designers of the 20th century.  He influenced the later arts and crafts movement through his early directorship of the Keswick School of Industrial Art (1898-1900),  and was a renowned teacher as Head of Art at the Sir John Cass Institute (1907-1937) and also taught at the Royal College of Art.  Between the wars he embraced modernism and deco design, as can be seen in this plaque. He designed in glass and continued in metalwork, producing rare English deco silver in his own name and for Adie Brothers and other manufacturers.  He was credited with influencing Frank Pick of London Transport and personally produced some of the now iconic Underground posters and wall tilings. In ceramics he assisted his wife with the founding of the  Carter, Stabler and Adams pottery company, synonymous with Poole Pottery, producing unmistakable deco designs.

Maker:  Harold Stabler

Designer:  Harold Stabler

Date: 1915

Marks: HS monogramme to reverse

Material: Silver, enamel

Condition: Excellent

Size: With frame: Width 13.0 cm, height 10.5 cm

Weight: NM