British silversmiths are stepping into the spotlight during “ British Silver Week ”, to be staged in June in celebration of the lustrous renaissance in contemporary UK silversmithing. (more British silver week news @ www.britishsilverweek.co.uk )
During British Silver Week , June 10 to 17, organisers are staging 23 exhibitions, workshops and seminars across the UK, offering true insight into this enduring craft and selling the work of some of the 104 fine silversmiths.
British Silversmiths stepped into the spotlight when a mass celebration offered a true insight into this enduring craft and selling the work of some 104 fine silversmiths.
One of the venues selected was Payne & Son of Tunbridge Wells, who staged an exhibition that featured the work of fourteen of the country's leading silversmiths , considered to be amongst the best in the world. Many created specially designed, signature or limited edition pieces for the event, captivating collectors and novices alike with the finest workmanship in contemporary design.
British Silver Week catered for collectors and devotees of exemplary design and craftsmanship, presenting opportunities to spot new and emerging talents as well as meeting some of the country's most celebrated designer silversmiths. Visitors enjoyed the cachet of buying a one-off piece, finding that perfect wedding or christening present or discussing a commission with a designer silversmith.
Original works by thirty of the participating silversmiths were selected by the esteemed academic and author Philippa Glanville for their cutting edge design and technical skills. There were displays at the launch event at the City of London livery hall of the Goldsmiths' Company.
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British Silver Week , was the brainchild of Gordon Hamme, whose ambition was to celebrate the “renaissance of excellence in UK silver-making and resurgence in buying interest by corporate and private buyers alike". Having visited Tunbridge Wells he knew that Payne & Son, who have been jewellers and silversmiths since 1790, was the ideal partner to provide the right setting for staging British Silver Week in Kent.
Payne & Son is the oldest family firm of jewellers and silversmiths in Kent. Michael Payne, himself the seventh generation of his family to work in the trade. Michael is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and a director and the treasurer of the National Association of Goldsmiths, as well as having studied silversmithing at Cass College London. Amongst those silversmiths who exhibited at Payne & Son was Ann Marie Colquhoun, Lexi Dick, Ray Walton, Rebecca Joselyn and Brett Payne.
"The butcher and baker may no longer be found in the High Streets of Great Britain but the candlestick maker is still going strong” says Michael Payne.
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Notes for Editors on British silver week
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