Design thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C , Case M, Shelf 123

Design

Design
1997 (designed (process))
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is one of three designs for a pair of candlesticks by the UK-based art enameller, Fred Rich. It shows a technically ambitious plan and the intention to work in an intricate manner, because it is influenced by Rich's original training as a jeweller. Using a cloisonné technique that is common in the production of jewellery, the dark blue enamel with multicoloured forms depicts insects in night flight. This cloisonné decoration is achieved by creating sections over the body of the overall shape of the object using silver wire. The sections are then filled with coloured enamels and fired. The filigree wire borders delineate these sections within the design lending a more vivid quality to the enamelling.

Now in the Metalwork collection, these candlesticks were commissioned by the V&A and funded with the assistance of Mrs Rita Gans in memory of her husband Mr Jerry Gans.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleDesign
Materials and techniques
Pencil and bodycolour
Brief description
Presentation drawing for a pair of cloisonné candlesticks by Fred Rich, 1997
Physical description
Rectangular piece of cream laid paper depicting a pair of similar rectilinear shapes. Their main bodies feature a multi-coloured design of a navy blue background with dragonflies, butterflies and other insects. One shape has two Gecko forms near the top creating a base for a candlestick holder. The other shape has a Gecko form trying to emerge from the base. Both bases are less ornate than the bodies of the objects, and look like roughly hewn pieces of grey fissured rock
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.5cm
  • Width: 40cm
Marks and inscriptions
signed at bottom right "Fred Rich 97"
Credit line
Given by the artist
Summary
This is one of three designs for a pair of candlesticks by the UK-based art enameller, Fred Rich. It shows a technically ambitious plan and the intention to work in an intricate manner, because it is influenced by Rich's original training as a jeweller. Using a cloisonné technique that is common in the production of jewellery, the dark blue enamel with multicoloured forms depicts insects in night flight. This cloisonné decoration is achieved by creating sections over the body of the overall shape of the object using silver wire. The sections are then filled with coloured enamels and fired. The filigree wire borders delineate these sections within the design lending a more vivid quality to the enamelling.

Now in the Metalwork collection, these candlesticks were commissioned by the V&A and funded with the assistance of Mrs Rita Gans in memory of her husband Mr Jerry Gans.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
pp. 118-9 Eric Turner, Heike Zech, Masterpieces of British silver : highlights from the Victoria and Albert Museum Hong Kong : Liang Yi Museum, [2016]. 97898801494405
Collection
Accession number
E.995-2000

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 16, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON