Metalwork

By Hammer & Hand.

My love of Arts & Crafts metalwork has led me to share some beautiful designs, the likes of which you will find nowhere else.
 
I am particularly inspired by Ernest Gimsons designs, hand wrought for him by Alfred and Norman Bucknell. When Gimson started designing metalwork in about 1900 he saw some hinges that Alfred Bucknell, son of William the village blacksmith at Tunley, had made for Alfred Powell. (Architect and painter of Wedgwood pottery.) Gimson gave Alfred some work and then set up a forge in Sapperton in the wheelwright's yard, on the site of the present village hall. (Designed by Ernest Barnsley.) By 1910 Gimson was employing several blacksmiths and they were producing not only handles and fittings for his furniture, but exquisitely designed candlesticks, sconces and lanterns, with the finest punched and chased details. Occasionally Gimson collaborated with other architects in the design of metalwares, such as Robert Weir Shultz and George Bankart. Silver fittings were sometimes made in John Paul Coopers workshop.

When Gimson died in 1919, Alfred Bucknell set up a smithy in the village of Waterlane. In 1930 his son Norman joined him there, having previously been apprenticed to Peter Waals (formerly Gimson's head cabinet maker) and continued the tradition, making cabinet fittings for Waals. He also made sconces and architectural fittings designed by Norman Jewson (architect & former pupil of Gimson) as well as continuing to make designs by Gimson. Around 1957 after his fathers death Norman moved to Lypiatt, and then onto Bisley where he retired in 1994. He died at the age of 95 in March 2006.

Eight years ago I started to follow in this tradition, rediscovering the techniques and studying in great detail examples of the Bucknell's work and using the original drawings. I now find I am also adapting and designing, discovering and delighting in new possibilities...

VIDEO CLIP

Below is a video clip of Chris making a candle sconce in the Gimson / Bucknell tradition;
video courtesy of Leicester Arts & Museums Services.

Ernest Gimson designed metalwork. Photo courtesy Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum.

 

As well as making to order, a good selection of items are kept in stock; these are available to
purchase and are shown on this website with a price.

Click below to see the metalwork photo galleries
METALWORK

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THE CHRISTOPHER VICKERS TOUCHMARK
A SIGN OF TRADITION AND QUALITY

Initially conceived to distinguish my Metalwork designs from earlier Arts & Crafts designers work, it is now also used on my Furniture and Boxes as well.

The use of the partitioned heart to contain initials was inspired by WR Lethaby's personal bookplate design. It was Lethaby who introduced Ernest W Gimson to the delights of early domestic metalwork and it is Gimson's and CFA Voysey's designs that inspire me to design and make in this tradition.

The heart motif also of course being synonymous with the Arts & Crafts Movement and used particularly by Voysey and MH Baillie-Scott. It was a plasterwork fire surround, designed by Baillie-Scott with a flower growing from a heart, that inspired the finishing touch. It seems entirely appropriate, as this is where the best designs originate.