|
Two historians researching the origins of the Newlyn copper trade
are appealing to people with items of interest to get in touch.
Daryl Bennett
and Colin Pill want to put together what they hope will be the first
comprehensive archive of information on the industry during the 19th and 20th
centuries.A number of exhibitions of Newlyn copper have been held over the
years, particularly at Penlee House in Penzance. And interest was further
increased with the publication of Hazel Berriman's book, Arts And Crafts In
Newlyn.
Consequently, items which could be picked up in junk shops for a
few pounds not long ago are now highly prized and command huge
prices.
Colin Pill said: "Both Daryl and I are arts and crafts
enthusiasts and collectors. The aims of the project are to research the history
of Newlyn Copper, and put it in context with the wider Arts and Crafts
Movement.
"We will be producing an electronic archive, which will be made
publicly available. We are also writing a book, to be published by John Samsom
later this year, and organising a travelling exhibition.
"At the moment
we are putting most of our efforts into researching the history of Newlyn copper
and have had some encouraging results. Local people who have interesting pieces
of Newlyn copper, and documents and pictures relating to the Newlyn Class have
come forward and we think there is still a great deal more to
discover.
"But while it is important to uncover the local history, it is
also essential to show the Newlyn work in the wider context of the British Arts
and Crafts Movement. The Newlyn Class has received very little attention from
art historians and yet it represents a unique community-based project, creating
things 'useful and beautiful' in the tradition of William Morris."
Penlee
House Museum has been giving advice and help, as has the Royal Cornwall Museum
in Truro, and Colin and Daryl are keen to work in partnership with galleries and
museums in Cornwall and further afield.
"These partnerships are important
to enable us to access archives of information but also to assure potential
donors of important historical material that their contributions will be valued
and preserved in the museum system and freely accessible to the public," said
Colin.
One line of research is to uncover information about commemorative
shields and plaques made by the Newlyn Class. Many of these were made to
commemorate competitions or events in schools, religious, social and sporting
clubs and institutions like the Great Western Railway.
"I am leading this
particular line of research and have made progress in identifying 'lost'
pieces," said Colin. "It is interesting that Newlyn copper work was clearly
valued locally and played an important role in the celebration of social and
religious life. This contrasts with other Arts and Crafts endeavours, such as
the Guild of Handicrafts which catered almost exclusively for the very rich in
London, and shows Newlyn work as 'art for and by the people' - as William Morris
might have wished."
Daryl and Colin would like to hear from anyone with
information on the following:
Large commemorative plaques or commissions
for churches, schools etc.
Copper applied with enamel
decoration.
Newlyn work in materials other than copper, like silver,
brass and pewter.
Copper work with unusual imagery, like frogs or fantasy
creatures.
Copper depicting landscapes and buildings in
Cornwall.
Door furniture, light fittings, weather vanes and garden
pieces.
Chests, caskets and mirrors.
Items with paper labels or
detailed inscriptions.
Historical information relating
to:
Photographs of Newlyn workers and workshops in
Newlyn.
Biographical information from descendants of Newlyn
workers.
Examples of tools used, techniques, design.
Period
adverts, price lists and catalogues.
Information on John Drew Mackenzie
and John Pearson.
Daryl can be contacted on 0114 2682981or by e-mailing
daryl.bennett @virgin.net and Colin can be contacted on 01225 309400 or by
e-mailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
';
document.write( '' );
document.write( addy_text4340 );
document.write( '<\/a>' );
//-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS
 |
