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.
One of the venues selected is Payne & Son of Tunbridge Wells, who are staging an exhibition which will run from June 10 until the end of the month. It will feature the work of fourteen of the country’s leading silversmiths, which are considered to be amongst the best in the world. Many have created specially designed, signature or limited edition pieces for the event, captivating collectors and novices alike with the finest workmanship in contemporary design. From June 17 their work will be augmented at Payne & Son by other examples of award winning silverware from the Association of British Designer Silversmiths collection.
British Silver Week will cater 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 can enjoy the cachet of buying a one-off piece, finding that perfect wedding or christening present or discussing a commission with a designer silversmith. British Silver Week will enable silver to be viewed in a new light and with prices ranging from £200 to £100,000 there will be something for everyone.
Original works by thirty of the participating silversmiths are being selected by the esteemed academic and author Philippa Glanville for their cutting edge design and technical skills. There will be a display at the launch event on June 9 at the City of London livery hall of the Goldsmiths’ Company, which has become the project’s lead patron.
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Payne & Son is pleased to be associated with British Silver Week, which is the brainchild of Gordon Hamme, whose ambition is 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 an ideal partner and provided the right setting for staging British Silver Week in Kent.
Payne & Son is the oldest family firm of jewellers and silversmiths in Kent. It is run by 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 exhibiting at Payne & Son will be 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
British Silver Week Payne and Son British Silver week
