A CONTEMPORARY MODERN BRITANNIA STANDARD BOWL - REED COLLECTION

A CONTEMPORARY MODERN BRITANNIA STANDARD BOWL - REED COLLECTION
GRAHAM STEWART, EDINBURGH 2007
of hemi-spherical form, chased interwoven bands to a planished finish ground, gilt interior, raised on a collet foot 
11.5cm diameter, 8.5cm high, 14.5oz
By now a familiar name in the cannon of British contemporary silversmithing, Graham Leishman Stewart's pieces are not only recognisable by their references to the natural world and their beautiful flowing lines, but also for their charm.Originally from Bridge of Allan in Stirlingshire, Graham was educated at Dollar Academy before attending Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeenshire. His early inspiration came from his father, who initially trained as an optical instrument maker, but later taught evening classes in silversmithing after attending the same classes himself for a number of years, Graham sat in on some of these early classes.Stewart established his workshop in Dunblane in 1978. He always worked with a small team of skilled craftsmen. His father, an industrial designer, was a leading influence in his life as he had a keen interest in silversmithing. His brother, an engineer, joined him when he retired which explains why Stewart used a hydraulic press, not a tool normally associated with silversmithing, for very large commissions.One of his most prestigious commissions was for the Scottish Parliament, The Honours of Scotland sculpture which sits in the main hall of the parliament building is arguably one of the most viewed pieces of contemporary silver in Britain today. Like many of his pieces, it invokes the history and heritage of not only the craft, but in this case the Scottish nation, and also the simple flowing lines for which he is so known. Claret Jugs and bowls were a particular favourite of his to make, he once commented ‘Claret jugs are lovely to make … you can express a lot with a jug – generosity, a convivial gathering – they are such an expressive thing.’He had great respect for words and was a devotee of the Irish bard Seamus Heaney. After discovering Heaney’s favourite prose was the BBC’s Radio’s Shipping Forecast, Stewart designed a series of bowls that have been much admired. He chose and arranged the almost hypnotic words of the Forecast on the bowls with the flow of a poet. The series was expanded to other themes, the inspiration coming from poetry and Celtic spirituality. The engravings brought life to his bowls.Stewart's many important commissions reflect the admiration and respect others had for him, including those commissioning the impressive claret jugs which are part of the Millennium Collection for Bute House. His shop in Dunblane provided a great opportunity to meet and chat with Stewart, allowing customers to grow their collections and acquire one-off pieces.  A key contributor to modern Scottish and British silver, Stewart's work is well represented in both in public and private collections, with important pieces included within numerous British institutions such as the Aberdeen Museum and Art Gallery and The Pearson Silver Collection, which is devoted to Post-War British silver. Sadly, Graham passed away in 2020 at the age of 65. Always a strong supporter of the silversmiths and jewellers craft in Scotland, he made arrangements for the contents of his workshop, including tools, equipment, books and portfolios of drawings to be gifted to The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust to use for educational purposes and to support future generations; a worthy legacy for one of Scotland’s foremost contemporary craftspeople.