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The Pearson Silver Collection has its origins in the mid-1980s. Although the Pearsons started collecting British silver
in the early
1970s,
their initial interest was in domestic items and collectables such as snuff boxes, vinaigrettes,
caddy spoons and the like. Their
preference
was for the antique. However, in 1985 they began to develop an
interest in 20th century British silver. When they fully
appreciated the
scope of the field, they decided to concentrate
their interest to Post War silver from 1945 to the present day.
In the 1990s they disposed of some of their other collections to help finance the acquisition of pieces for what is
now the Pearson
Silver Collection. Today, the Collection is widely regarded as the largest of its kind in private
hands. Currently it is kept in four
geographic locations.
The Pearsons’ wish is that one day a significant number of highlights from it will be temporarily exhibited in one
place. Meanwhile
selections from the Collection will be available for lending to regional institutions and London exhibitions
on an on-going basis. Two
museums have already expressed interest, as indeed has the organiser of a major exhibition in
London during 2012 that will be
entirely
devoted to gold objects.
Currently we are in the process of establishing The Pearson Silver Foundation. Each year it will select both newcomers and
those who
have been silversmiths for some time to make pieces. The selections will be made after careful consideration by the
Foundation’s
trustees
to both the individual’s design capabilities and craftsmanship skills. The Foundation will make the pieces
available for loan to
museums
and exhibitions as well as giving them other exposure (for example in the media and by way of
website(s)) so as to
demonstrate
that
Britain excels in producing stylish contemporary silver to the highest standards of
craftsmanship. Additionally the
Foundation plans to
assist those who aspire to be silversmiths with the granting of monies to
selected institutions for the benefit of
students of the craft of
silversmithing. In time we also plan awards to young silversmiths
for outstanding achievement. Naturally it will
take time to achieve all
of these goals. We keep in mind the saying, ‘from small
acorns, mighty oak trees grow’.
The objective of this website is to bring Post War British designer silver, including contemporary pieces, to a wider
audience. They
believe
British silver from the 1950s to the present day is one of the world’s best kept secrets.
The Curator of the Collection is John
Andrew,
who has been instrumental in assisting in its formation. |
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