Norman Wilson
explores the
fascinating
history behind
Ruskin
jewellery.
'Founded by
Edward Richard
Taylor in 1898,
The Birmingham
Tile and Pottery
Works began life
in a converted
malthouse and
kiln in West
Smethwick, near
Birmingham.
Around this
time, the
company started
to trade in the
name of Ruskin
pottery, after
the social
philosopher John
Ruskin. Taylor
and his son,
William Howson
Taylor, built up
a business,
which, after
winning a ‘grand
prize’ in 1904
at the St Louis
International
Exhibition, was
soon exporting
goods and
building their
internationally
famous name...'
George Hunt Arts and Crafts Jeweller By John
Kelly.
'travelling
exhibition of
the work of the
Arts and Crafts
jeweller and
silversmith
George Edward
Hunt,
(1892–1960) will
take place from
mid-November to
mid- December
and will be
presented by
Bonhams
auctioneers.
This will be the
first exhibition
devoted entirely
to his work and
will
predominantly
feature his
jewels, however
this will also
include some
rare items of
silver. There
will be
something in the
order of 100
exhibits on
display...'
The height of urbane sophistication, Betty Joel
items remain highly sought after today, and are
modern classics that have a timeless appeal.
'Reacting to the
severity and
bleakness of the
grey years of
the First World
War, a new era
of hope exploded
as designers in
every discipline
pushed the
creative
envelope in all
directions in
zestful,
cutting-edge
design, later
known as Art
Deco...'
Bound to please. The pleasures
of collecting original Arts and Crafts period
books.
'Collectors
share many
traits. We are
lovers by
nature. If we
collect objects
of intrinsic
worth wisely and
well, we are
often crowned
kings by
default. We will
travel absurd
distances in
pursuit of the
objects of our
desire. We will
lie to dear
friends and
relatives about
the amount of
money spent to
acquire
something valued
less than a
Christmas ham to
the unschooled,
but as elusive
as a moonbeam to
us. We are
collectors. We
are seekers of
the unknown, the
undocumented,
un-catalogued and
hopefully
under-priced...'
