Bowl, silver, London, 1893-1896, made by the Guild of Handicraft Ltd., designed by C.R. Ashbee.

Embossed and chased with a leaf design and with four cast legs.

M. E and C. J. Adam Gift

Acquisition RF: 59/2979
Given by Miss ME and Miss CJ Adam
Bewdley, Worcs.
Charles Robert Ashbee established the Guild of Handicraft in 1888. Influenced by Ruskin and Morris, he intended the Guild to be a co-operative venture which would encourage the full creative potential of the craftsman. At the turn of the century, the Guild was at the height of its success and had evolved a distinctive and mature style. Softly planished surfaces decorated with chasing and embossing were characteristic of Ashbee's designs and had a significant effect on contemporary silver in Europe and America as well as Britain. Financially however, the Guild was less successful and in 1908, Ashbee was forced to wind up its affairs.

Charles Robert Ashbee established the Guild of Handicraft in 1888. He intended it to be a cooperative venture that would encourage the craft worker's full creative potential. John Ruskin and William Morris influenced him in this. About 1900 the Guild was at the height of its success. It had evolved a distinctive and mature style. Ashbee's designs were characterised by softly planished surfaces decorated with chasing and embossing. They had a significant effect on silver of the time in continental Europe and America, as well as in Great Britain. Financially, however, the Guild was less successful. In 1908 Ashbee was forced to wind up its affairs.

CIRC.299-1959