An exceptional Kate Harris silver, enamel and stone set casket

Price: PoA

For sale is this exceptional and massive Kate Harris (attributed) art nouveau silver casket or cigar box fully assayed for William Hutton and Sons, 1902.  The lid set with a landscape scene of mother of pearl sky, oxidised silver mountains, copper trees and enamel lake or sea.  An astonishingly refined and innovative plaque that is without doubt by Kate Harris.  A similar design in buttons is known by her when working with her silversmith husband after leaving Huttons in 1903. The lid is also set with two lilac coloured stones, I believe amethyst quartz.  The strap work clasp of the casket is also to a Kate Harris design also set with semi- precious stones.   Other aspects of the design, notably the curling tendril leaf design to the feet, are less like other Kate Harris works for Huttons, but are similar in style to Harris’ later work for her husband.

The box is cedar lined, presumably for cigars, but could readily be lined with velvet for jewellery or other trinkets.  All parts are fully or part marked, save for the stone set catch which is unmarked and fits to the strap work latch with a clasp.

The box and enamel are in excellent original condition.  It is a very large statement piece.

Kate Harris was employed by the London studio of William Hutton & Sons to produce artistic silver from 1899 to c 1903.  Harris was one of the very few women, or British exhibitors, to win recognition at the 1900 Paris International Exhibition.  At the Paris Exhibtion all her and Hutton’s work was displayed on the stand of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths company.

For more information on Kate Harris, see Professor Stephen Pudney’s articles on her in the Decorative Arts Society Journal Vol 22 “A marriage of art and commerce: Kate Harris and the arts and crafts silverware of William Hutton & Sons” and Vol 39 “Katie Harris: Mystery Woman of English Art Nouveau”.

Maker:  William Hutton & Sons

Designer:  Kate Harris

Date: 1902

Marks: WH&Sns , London, “g”

Material: Sterling silver, enamel, mother of pearl, copper, pink stones

Condition: Excellent

Size: 25.3cm wide, 14cm high, 15.2cm deep

Weight: 2.4 kg, 84.7 oz  (not all silver)