AC MALCOLM APPLEBY The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (8V7A3445)

‘Made for the Table’ at Osterley Park

Following the Christmas and New Year break here is a perfect opportunity to mix an inspiring dose of architectural and design culture with a lovely winter walk. I was delighted to find this show, which I had been keen to see for over a year as it travelled around the UK, finally arrive in a local venue. It had been a while since I visited Osterley Park, a magical taste of the countryside on the outskirts of West London.

Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central 2018-11-15 11.15.58The Robert Adam designed house and its extensive grounds are well worth a trip in their own right and I made a point of taking some walking boots so I could go for a meander through the fields after the exhibition’s private view in November.

Made for The Table Armadillo Central Blog 2018-11-15 13.26.49‘Made for the Table’ explores the evolution of silver tableware and dining conventions from 1600 to the present and runs until the 24th of February. Osterley being the final venue, this is your last chance to go – there’s a car park or you can catch the tube and walk up the long drive to the house. You might even stop off at the farm shop on your way back.

The show has been intelligently curated to offer an informative look at both historic and contemporary designs for the table. It has also been adapted for each of the venues in which it has appeared.The Osterley Park team delved into their rarely seen silverware archive and have displayed some of their collection alongside modern counterparts belonging to the Goldsmiths’ Company.

Made for the Table at Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central AC 2018-11-15 12.19.43

Hand-raised beakers by (left) William Hayden, circa 1630, and Michael Lloyd, 1996

There are interesting pairings such as hand-raised beakers which are over 300 years apart in their making, yet share very similar techniques in their creation. In one cabinet we see a fine example made in silver around 1630 by William Hayden, possibly designed for use in church. This is displayed alongside a Britannia silver beaker by Michael Lloyd, which was created in 1996 and features chased and hand engraved decoration as well as a silver-gilt interior.

An ornate light-filled upstairs room contains these and a large number of other silverware items, both old and new, for serving, eating, drinking and illuminating as well as decorating the table. A separate space reveals other important items from Osterley Park’s collection with volunteers on hand to supply details of their provenance and purpose.Robert Adam interior Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central AC 2018-11-15 11.51.25Made for the Table at Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central AC 2018-11-15 12.17.20

Down the corridor past Robert Adam’s majestic stairwell, a third room, recently stripped back to plaster for the making of a block buster film, offers a more contemporary backdrop for what was for me the key attraction of the show. ‘Made for the Table’, which gives the exhibition its name, is curated by the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Collections department.

Made for the Table at Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central AC 2018-11-15 13.28.22

Tom Vaughan for Object Studio, Table and Chairs, 2017, ebonised ash

The elegant display integrates modern one-of-a-kind designs into a dining room setting, elevating everyday items from the purely practical into covetable bespoke treasures, each signed by a talented maker. A stunning table and chairs in ebonised ash by Tom Vaughan has been laid with the most stylish dinnerware. One-off works with a distinctly sculptural feel created by a number of well known silversmiths mingle with bespoke items in other media such as glass, ceramics and textiles. A hand-dyed and woven hanging by Ptolemy Mann punctuates the set with colour.

Made for the Table at Osterley Park photo Emma Boden Armadillo Central AC Miriam Hanid portrait with silver vase 2018-11-15 11.58.51_wm

Miriam Hanid with her flower filled silver vase in the centre of the table. In the background Ptolemy Mann’s ‘Dynamics of Blue, Orange and Turquoise’, 2017, hand-dyed and woven mercerised cotton with wood frame. Details of other items are captioned in the images below.

With almost a full year ahead before the next winter festivities, this might be an excellent time to research and commission something very special for your next round of presents, or to mark another celebration altogether. Alternatively drop into the exhibition shop, curated by Gregory Parsons and pick up something precious on the spot. You can also purchase a glossy exhibition catalogue with stunning images (see below) by Rosalind Atkinson, published by The Goldsmiths’ Company in 2018.

AC NAN NAN LIU The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (8V7A3607)

Nan Nan Liu, Bread Basket, 2016, sterling and fine silver Puk welded and soldered, hammered silver wire

‘Made for the Table’ is at Osterley Park and House until 24 February 2019.

Yusuke Yamamoto, Bottle Coaster, 2017, silver, hand-raised, hammered, repoussé chased, chased, with engraved detail. AC YUSUKE YAMAMOTO The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (0E7A3289)

Yusuke Yamamoto, Bottle Coaster, 2017, silver, hand-raised, hammered, repoussé chased, chased, with engraved detail

Fine art, food and lifestyle photographer Rosalind Atkinson will lead a couple of still life workshops at Osterley Park on 6 February. See links below for details.

Malcolm Appleby, Slashed Beaker, 2004, Silver, gilt interior, sawn, slashed and soldered, burnished parcel-gilt finish. AC MALCOLM APPLEBY The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (8V7A3445)

Malcolm Appleby, Slashed Beaker, 2004, silver, gilt interior, sawn, slashed and soldered, burnished parcel-gilt finish

Works featured in this blog include items by the following makers: Tom Vaughan, Ptolemy Mann, Miriam Hanid, Nan Nan Liu, Yusuke Yamamoto, Malcolm Appleby, Rauni Higson, Adi Toch, Angus McFadyen and Jill Shaddock – see captions for more details.

Rauni Higson, 'Eucalyptus' cutlery set, 2011, silver, steel knife blades, hand-forged AC RAUNI HIGSON The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks New image 2

Rauni Higson, ‘Eucalyptus’ Cutlery Set, 2011, silver, steel knife blades, hand-forged

Exhibition concept, Rosemary Ransome Wallis; curation, Georgia Powell and Stephanie Souroujon; design Manuela Holfert; and consultant Gregory Parsons.

Miriam Hanid, 'Sea Birds in Flight Vase, 2013, Britannia silver, formed, chased, hand-engraved and chiselled. AC MIRIAM HANID The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (8V7A3100)

Miriam Hanid, ‘Sea Birds in Flight Vase, 2013, Britannia silver, formed, chased, hand-engraved and chiselled

All key photographs, ‘The Silverware Still Lives, 2017’, are by Rosalind Atkinson with art direction and styling by Tasha Marks, AVM Curiosities, courtesy of and © The Goldsmiths’ Company. Text and supporting photography © Emma Boden.

Adi Toch, 'Pinch of Pepper', 2017, silver, anodised, spun, raised and fabricated and 'Pinch of Salt', 2010, silver gilt, spun, raised and fabricated. AC ADI TOCH The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (0E7A3326-2)

Adi Toch, ‘Pinch of Pepper’, 2017, silver, anodised, spun, raised and fabricated and ‘Pinch of Salt’, 2010, silver gilt, spun, raised and fabricated

Angus McFadyen, Candlesticks, 2017, silver, fine gold, seamed, hand-raised, engraved. AC ANGUS McFADYEN The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (0E7A3246)

Angus McFadyen, Candlesticks, 2017, silver, fine gold, seamed, hand-raised, engraved

Jill Shaddock, Dinner Plate, Side Plate, Coffee Cup and Saucer, 2017, ceramic, slipcast in multilayers AC JILL SHADDOCK The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (0E7A3307-2)

Jill Shaddock, Dinner Plate, Side Plate, Coffee Cup and Saucer, 2017, ceramic, slipcast in multilayers

Jane Short, 'Fish Scale Beaker', 2006, silver, enamel, gilded interior, spun beaker, carved and engraved, champlevé enamelled with decorative gold pallions AC JANE SHORT The Silverware Still Lives (2017) Photo - Rosalind Atkinson . Art Direction - Tasha Marks (0E7A3411)

Jane Short, ‘Fish Scale Beaker’, 2006, silver, enamel, gilded interior, spun beaker, carved and engraved, champlevé enamelled with decorative gold pallions