Omar Ramsden, 1873-1939

Christie's, London, 30 April 1985, lot 47

The body with erased inscription, otherwise good condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Omar Ramsden and his friend Alwyn Charles Ellison Carr (1872-1940) began their partnership as ‘designers and craftsmen in metals’ (1901 Census) in 1898. Their work quickly gained approval; The Times (2 December 1907, p. 7) reported that ‘they have a fine sense of design, and they carry the finish of their details to a very high pitch. . . . Such work is both good in itself and useful in the influence that it must exercise upon the more ordinary silversmiths’ work of the day.’ Following the dissolution of their business partnership in December 1918, both Ramsden and Carr continued separately as artist/craftsmen but it was the former whose career flourished and whose work has become a favourite with collectors of 20^th Century English silver.