Fabulous 1969 Gerald Benney 8\" Modernist Textured Hallmarked Silver Paperweight

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Fabulous 1969 Gerald Benney 8\" Modernist Textured Hallmarked Silver Paperweight:
$988.46

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Here for your consideration, is a fabulous 1969 Gerald Benney, modernist 8\" solid silver, hallmarked, paperweight, with square section and trademark textured barkdecoration to two sides.Atruly stunning piece of workmanship, fully hallmarked AGB and made by\'Adrian Gerald Benney\', assayedin London with the leopards head, lion passant, and the date letter O for 1969.

Considering this delightful paperweight is 46 yearsold it\'s in very good original condition, with no splits, dents, dinks, repairs or damage. It actually does have some beautiful age related patina wear, commensuratewith 46 years of age.

Gerald Benney (1930-2008) ...

One of the most outstanding and influential Britishsilversmithsof the second half of the 20th century. During a career spanning more than 50 years, he was the first British craftsman to hold four Royal Warrants simultaneously. His work has had a major impact on the survival of domestic silver in Britain.

Gerald Benney trained at Brighton College of Art. Gerald Benney\'s work was initially influenced by the arts and crafts style of his teacher Dunstan Pruden and later, for a brief period, by pre-Second World War modernism.After military service, Gerald Benney studied at the Royal College of Art. In 1952, a four-piece tea service and tray secured him the Prince of Wales Scholarship.

During the 1950s, Gerald Benney was influenced by the purity and minimalism of Scandinavian design. For him this translated into a range of domestic silver notable for its clean, simple lines.

By the early 1960s, the style of Gerald\'s work became instantly recognisable as \"Benney\". His designs have strength and dignity, an aura of splendour without ostentation. Indeed, his work is dramatic because of its simplicity and scale. The textured surfaces that have long been a feature of Benney\'s work first appeared on a piece of his silver by accident. While hand raising a flat piece of silver, he inadvertently used a hammer with a damaged head. After half a dozen blows, the smooth surface had a pleasing pattern imposed on the silver. Gerald Benney filed the hammer\'s head to emphasise the pattern.

Not only did texturing work technically and aesthetically, it also became a valued and unique expression of his skill on his own work. Emulation is said to be the highest form of flattery. It wasn\'t long before the industry was imitating his trademark \"Benney Bark Finish\".

Clearly, texturing looks good but it soon became apparent that there was a practical advantage too. Handle silver with a polished surface and fingerprints immediately appear. These marks, which are caused by moist skin, also cause tarnishing. However, with Benney\'s texturing, the fingers do not press continuously on to the metal\'s surface, just the textured high points, so marks are not visible.

In the late 1960s feeling that his work needed colour, he decided that it was time for enamelling. He travelled to Zurich in search of craftsmen who had worked for Burch-Korrodi, the last well-known firm of fine enamellers. Burch-Korrodi had obtained some of his skills from Fabergé\'s craftsmen. Here he met Burch-Korrodi\'s head enameller, the Norwegian Berger Bergersen.

Bergersen was persuaded to travel to England to advise on enamelling techniques. The slow process of reviving a virtually extinct craft began. Bergersen stayed for several months, teaching the team in Benney\'s workshop everything he knew. However, Benney naturally developed contemporary designs and managed to cover even larger surfaces than the House of Fabergé.

From 1957 to 1969 Gerald Benney designed stainless steel cutlery for Viners.In 1973, he became professor of silversmithing and jewellery at the Royal College of Art, when Robert Goodden, retired, holding the chair until 1983.Gerald Benney finally retired in 1998, one of his last commissions being \"The Three Sisters\" candelabra, at Goldsmiths\' Hall. Weighing over 50 kilograms, its the largest piece of silver to have been made in Britain for many years.

Dimensions as follows ...

Height: 0.6 inch or 1.5 cm

Length: 8 inches or 20.3 cm

Depth: 0.6 inch or 1.5 cm

Weight: 492 grams or 1lb 1.5 oz

This is as good as it gets with regards to modernist silver,it\'s all original and undamaged, an extremely rarefind indeed. I\'ve only got one, once it\'s gone .... it\'s gone. You might never findanother one this good, and if there\'s one thing I\'ve learned about antiques, when items are rare and of qualityhe who hesitates usually loses out.

Thisbeautiful modernist silver paperweight by worldrenowned20th century silversmith Gerald Benney would add value to any silver collection. Rare silver Gerald Benney pieces have become so very collectable and areappreciating in value. A stylish silver paperweight thathas stunning detailed decoration. A realmust for anyserious silver collector.

This would make an ideal gift.

The paperweight willbe sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance.

Please note, all my international postal charges are only estimates andwill be confirmed and altered upor down when I knowthe destination to where,items arebeing sent. Please also note I only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.

Please feel free to look at my other items.

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Fabulous 1969 Gerald Benney 8\" Modernist Textured Hallmarked Silver Paperweight:
$988.46