STYLE: European Silver, Gold Boxes and Ceramics

STYLE: European Silver, Gold Boxes and Ceramics

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 159.  A RARE ARTS & CRAFTS SILVER AND SHAGREEN MOUNTED CIGAR CANNISTER, JOHN PAUL COOPER, CIRCA 1910.

A RARE ARTS & CRAFTS SILVER AND SHAGREEN MOUNTED CIGAR CANNISTER, JOHN PAUL COOPER, CIRCA 1910

Auction Closed

November 11, 04:08 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

A RARE ARTS & CRAFTS SILVER AND SHAGREEN MOUNTED CIGAR CANNISTER, JOHN PAUL COOPER, CIRCA 1910


cylindrical with shagreen panels between ropetwist and beaded bands, the cover with silver mounted coral finial, the wooden interior with silver plaque signed 'J PAUL COOPER'

12cm., 4¾in. high 

Acquired from the family of the artist by the present owner

Trained as an architect, in 1888 John Paul Cooper became an apprentice at the practice of John D. Sedding. Upon the sudden death of Sedding in 1891 Henry Wilson, a great friend of Cooper's, became manager and gradually introduced the production of craft work. Cooper thrived under the new direction and in 1893 he exhibited for the first time at the Arts and Crafts society exhibition. In 1897 Cooper set up his own small workshop in Kensington and the following year began to experiment with shagreen. By the mid-19th century the technique of preparing and dyeing shagreen had been lost and firms were relying on reusing skin from old objects. Cooper was determined to ressurect the process and re-establish the market. In 1899 he exhibited his first shagreen box and by 1900 had developed 6 colour stains.


This early period (1903-07) saw the production of Cooper's most extravagant and expensive designs in shagreen with this particular signed example most likely to have been executed during this time.