A large jewelled 18ct gold and amazonite clutch purse, Gerald Benney, London, 1975,

Created by commission for a private collector, this unusual purse also demonstrates a Scandinavian Modernist influence on Benney's work for which he became so well known for in the second half of the 20th century. Gerald Adrian Sallis Benney (1930-2008) was born in Hull and studied at the Art College in Brighton and the Royal College of Art. In 1958 he was made a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company and elected as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths six years later. Benney was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1995 and he was the first British craftsman to ever hold four Royal Warrants at the same time. Benney is probably best known for his works in Coventry Cathedral and a number of universities in England and Australia.