A Pair of English Arts and Crafts Copper and Silver Mounted Vases by a E Jones

A pair of English Arts and Crafts copper and silver mounted vases by A E Jones. Hammered copper inverted baluster vases very finely decorated with a band of silver to the top and 3 hanging small groups of leaves and berries. The base of the vases is decorated with a band of very detailed silver. The foot of each vase has a turned over stepped spreading foot. Made by A E Jones c 1902-1905 Unsigned. A E Jones copper is always unsigned

Albert Edward Jones (1878-1954) started his own business in 1902 after working for the well known ecclesiastical metalworkers, Hardman Powell. He took classes at the Birmingham School of Art around 1900 where he would have had contact with many well known figures in the Birmingham Arts & Crafts scene, Arthur Dixon and the Birmingham Guild of handicraft, Bernard Cuzner, Arthur Gaskin and Edward R Taylor. In 1901 he is a recorded member of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft.

By 1902 he had his own premises and employed a handful of skilled craftsmen. Between 1902 and 1905 the firm produced the finest silver and copper work, very much in the Arts and Crafts style and almost always hand planished. It’s clear that Jones also knew Howson Taylor who ran the Ruskin Pottery. Many early pieces by Jones are mounted with Ruskin pottery roundels.

In 1905 the firm moved to larger premises at Windmill Street, Birmingham. It was around this time that Jones became very closely linked with the firm of Jesson Birkett & Co. Jesson Birkett & Co was run by a former Birmingham Guild member, Thomas Birkett. Thomas had purchased many of Richard Llewellyn Rathbone’s designs and patination processes and also utilised some excellent designers such as Anne Grisdale Stubbs and Bert Harvey. From 1905 to 1910 it appears that both firms made many of the same designs.

The Arts and Crafts Movement originated in Britain during the late 19th century and was characterized by a style of decoration reminiscent of medieval times. The primary artist associated with the movement is William Morris, whose work was reinforced with writings from John Ruskin. The movement placed a high importance on the quality of craftsmanship while emphasizing the importance for the arts to contribute to economic reform.

Morris was instrumental in the founding of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., which would later evolve to just Morris & Co. Morris & Co. and their publishing division Kelmscott Press contributed much of the work that is associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. The style is associated with many different types of design including architecture, typography, book printing, textiles and interior design.

xcellent original condition. The top banding of silver is a little worn. One vase has a small dent to one side.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or details on this or any of my items.

All my item prices include UK Shipping