Design for a centrepiece for the Royal Army Service Corps
Design
1951
1951
| Artist/Maker |
A.Edward Jones was an important Arts and Crafts metalworking firm, founded by Albert Edward Jones (1879-1954) in 1902, and based in Birmingham until its closure in the 1980s. Until the 1920s the firm’s major commissions were for ecclesiastical and domestic objects, but from the early 1930s onwards they increasingly specialised in civic plate, including cups and trophies.
Between 1914 and 1945 the silver trade in Birmingham slumped due to the demands of war and the impact of economic depression. During this period A. Edward Jones was notably rare in continuing to actively pursue new designs for silver; most other firms relied on making reproductions of historic pieces.
Between 1914 and 1945 the silver trade in Birmingham slumped due to the demands of war and the impact of economic depression. During this period A. Edward Jones was notably rare in continuing to actively pursue new designs for silver; most other firms relied on making reproductions of historic pieces.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Design for a centrepiece for the Royal Army Service Corps (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil, ink and watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Design for a centrepiece for the Royal Army Service Corps, by George Farrin, 1951 |
| Physical description | A highly finished presentation drawing on thick card showing a design for a silver centrepiece surmounted by a figure of St George slaying the Dragon. There is a central band of decoration showing a shamrock, rose and thistle (annotated 'countries symbolising of which the national flowers engraved'). Further bands of engraving towards the base show scenes of the R.A.S.C. in action. Engraved lions, eagle and dolphin support the piece, symbolising operations on land, air and sea. The centrepiece is mounted on an ebony base. The drawing is signed 'Geo. Farrin N.R.D. Designer'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | This design by George Farrin for the R.A.S.C. Memorial was never executed. A quotation was requested on 10th September 1951. The firm's own costs to make it up, without profits or tax, came to £378 15s 0d. The design was exhibited in an exhibition about the firm of A. Edward Jones held at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in 1980. |
| Summary | A.Edward Jones was an important Arts and Crafts metalworking firm, founded by Albert Edward Jones (1879-1954) in 1902, and based in Birmingham until its closure in the 1980s. Until the 1920s the firm’s major commissions were for ecclesiastical and domestic objects, but from the early 1930s onwards they increasingly specialised in civic plate, including cups and trophies. Between 1914 and 1945 the silver trade in Birmingham slumped due to the demands of war and the impact of economic depression. During this period A. Edward Jones was notably rare in continuing to actively pursue new designs for silver; most other firms relied on making reproductions of historic pieces. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'A. Edward Jones Metalcraftsman', Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 1980 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.284-2014 |
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| Record created | December 11, 2013 |
| Record URL |
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