ELLIOT HALLENAMELS

CLUB ISSUE 22011

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The popular Ginger Jar shape has been chosen as the first ever event day enamel from Elliot Hall Enamels and it will only be available from retailers hosting the five anniversary events. The Ginger Jars will be a numbered edition. The events are spread throughout the summer and the country and hopefully this will allow every collector the chance to attend at least one of the days.

A fabulous selection of Elliot Hall Enamels will also be available at each event, including unique one off pieces.

For more information and to reserve your place at one or more event contact the retailer direct or Tiffany on 07974 444412, email: tiffany@elliothallenamels.co.uk or write to her at Unit F1A, Blackpole East, Blackpole Road, Blackpole, Worcester WR3 8SG.

Sorellie This event has already taken place and it was an overwhelming success with collectors coming from far and wide to attend. Collectors really appreciated meeting Sandra Selby and talking to her about her work

Ashwood Nurseries - 9th July 2011 11.00am - 3.00pm

Goviers Sidmouth - Date to be confirmedDipples - 12th November 2011 10.00am - 5.00pm

Claris’s - 1st October 2011 12.00am - 3.00pm

Elliot Hall Enamels 5th Anniversary Events ‘An explosion of summer’ is the best way to describe the gorgeous ginger jar by Sandra Selby designed in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Elliot Hall Enamels. Sandra’s design combining rich red poppies, delicate daisies and bumble bees against a sky blue ground takes inspiration from the landscape surrounding the Halls’ Worcestershire home.

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Welcome to Fusion Issue TwoElliot Hall writes:

‘Thank you for all your kind messages and comments about the launch of Club Fusion and our first issue of the magazine. We are delighted that you are as excited about our new Friends Club as we are and we will endeavour to keep you as updated as possible about our latest releases and news. Please don’t forget to keep checking our website for the latest details about products and events.

‘Our first events take place this year in celebration of our fifth anniversary and we hope to meet as many Friends as possible over the next few months. The last few weeks have been hectic preparing our very first event exclusive – we hope you love the Poppy Ginger Jar as much as we do.

‘Tiffany and I look forward to seeing you at events but if you are not able to attend do not hesitate to let us know your thoughts about our latest pieces or enamels in general.’

Yours Elliot

Poppy Event Day ExclusiveRRP £299 H50mm

Designed & Hand Painted by Sandra Selby

British Wildlife Collection

Designed and Hand painted By Sandra Selby Worldwide Limited Edition of 50 – 45mm Diameter R.R.P £185 each

Bramble and Freckle is the start of a collection of British Wildlife boxes produced exclusively for Sorellie. To reserve yours today please contact Danielle or Jacqueline Tel 01737 244182. Sorellie 13 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7AD

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The Marriage of Miss Catherine Middleton to HRH Prince William‘A cavalcade of English Life’ wrote Allison Pearson in The Daily Telegraph the day after the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton and I think the majority of spectators would agree with HM the Queen, no less, who observed it was ‘Amazing.’ The pomp and pageantry, the romance and the sheer joy expressed throughout the day by the couple and their families along with the sanctity of marriage are overriding memories.

Flowers were one of the memorable themes of the day, Sarah Burton, designer of Catherine’s elegant and beautiful dress, said she shaped the back so that it ‘echoed an opening flower’ and the lace bodice and skirt were encrusted with flowers. Astute then was Nigel Creed in coming up with his Royal Commemorative designs – a coin and covered box – emblazoned with daffodils. Nigel chose daffodils because they are the national flower of Wales, because they are symbolic of spring and because they bloom prolifically in Green Park in April – at the heart of the royal processional route. Little did he know, however, that daffodils would be one of the flowers (along with shamrock, thistle and the rose) chosen by Catherine and Sarah for the lace bodice of her dress. Each flower was hand cut and embroidered in English Cluny lace by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace.

The Commemorative Coin – a special edition to the collection of enamel year coins – was sold out within days of its release. But, as we went to press, a small number of the covered box remain. Intermingled with daffodils on the striking Royal Blue background are Orange Tipped and Peacock Butterflies. Both pieces are in a limited edition of 29, the number chosen to mark the date of the marriage.

Nigel has also created a romantic design of lovebirds. Not strictly part of the commemorative collection but its topical subject is perfectly in keeping with the tender mood of April 2011. The lidded vase is another pioneering shape developed by Elliot Hall, the soft curves of the body of the vase perfectly complemented by the domed lid.

Goviers of Sidmouth has something of a reputation for its royal commemorative designs. Owner, Alan Morgenroth has long taken a proactive role in commissioning designs to celebrate royal occasions and takes pride in working with only the very best British companies. Alan predicted the royal match many months ago and has developed a special collection with a unique theme incorporating a pair of swans - birds with royal status and that normally mate for life.

From Elliot Hall Enamels, Alan commissioned two pieces – an egg and a pair of miniature goblets. The hinged egg with a beautiful design by Fiona Bakewell was issued in an edition of 25 and has sold out. The miniature goblets, at only 115mm in height, feature outstanding paintings by Nigel Creed. Nigel has chosen a natural river setting for his pair of graceful swimming swans and the scene wraps around the goblets

and continues inside too. The goblets, in an edition of ten, have almost sold out – but contact Goviers for the latest information. And who knows, but,

perhaps a handful of cygnets will join the Swan Collection in due course!

Elliot and Tiffany hope Friends and readers of Fusion will join with them in wishing Prince William and

Princess Catherine (or more formally the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) a long and happy life together.

K-DRWC Daffodills & ButterfliesEdition size 29RRP £995 W.80mm x H40mmNigel Creed

HT3L-L – Love BirdsEdition size 25RRP £525H.90mmNigel Creed

Front Back

GobletEdition of 10 RRP £1350 H.115mmmm x H.40mmNigel Creed

Edition of 25RRP £245 Fiona Bakewell

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Sailfish paperweightRRP $299

An Enamel Affair- Cameron & SmithIt may seem strange for one of the world’s premier retailers of English enamels to be based in Florida, USA, but Bob Smith and Pat Cameron discovered enamels shortly after marrying in London in 1968 and their passion for this miniature art form has stayed with them ever since.

Bob and English born Pat decided to set up home in America in the early 1970s and whilst running the Smith family funeral business and bringing up their daughter, Melinda, developed their personal collection of enamels along with a broad knowledge of the background and artistry of the industry. By 1991, Bob had sold the funeral business and he and Pat decided to specialise in selling enamels stocking designs from various makers , ‘and so’, as he so aptly describes, ‘we went from big boxes to small boxes!’

Initially the Smiths thought they would only sell brand new enamels but it quickly became apparent that there was demand for retired pieces too, so they also buy in discontinued enamels and sell these via their website. To help collectors locate the more elusive older designs they also offer a free service called ‘Wish List’.

Twenty years on Bob and Pat have seen plenty of changes in the industry but they are thrilled with the enamels that Elliot Hall is creating. Bob explains more, ‘Elliot’s enamels are unique; they are all freehand painted and because the artists are given freedom to use their imagination the designs have an integrity and a vitality that is missing from enamels by other makers.

‘Elliot is unrivalled in the industry today because he understands all parts of the enamel process – from the making of the copper shape and design of the bezel, through the vitrification process

when a thin layer of coloured ground glass fuses to the metal base, to the decorating and firing stages that

sees the finely applied enamel colours sink into the glassy ground.

‘This exceptional knowledge fuels Elliot’s ambition to be a pioneer in the industry and to challenge accepted ideas about enamels and their design. His vision can be most clearly seen

in the unusual shapes that he develops and in his insistence on quality. No seconds are ever allowed

and if an enamel has even the tiniest blemish, Elliot has no qualms about picking up his hammer and

smashing the piece. I’ve seen him do this,’ Bob adds, ‘and it seems quite shocking because of the amount of

artistry that has gone into making the enamel, but it means collectors can be totally assured they are getting the very best.’

Cameron & Smith have commissioned several enamels from Elliot, ‘because,’ Bob says, ‘our customers love the quintessential English character of Elliot’s designs but we do also like to offer some with an American twist.’ The latest enamel commemorates the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and is painted by Peter Graves whose expertise in painting cavalry scenes such as the Scots Greys has impressed Bob.

‘I really admire Peter’s workmanship and the muscle tone of the horses in this earlier enamel is wonderful, so I was delighted when Elliot agreed that he would ask Peter to do this special piece for me. I pointed Peter towards some websites showing imagery of the civil war but then left it up to him. The result is tremendous; Peter has captured the atmosphere of the battle and the two generals opposing each other perfectly. Inside the imagery of the boats attacking is masterly and yet again shows that Peter’s finesse for painting marine scenes is second to none.’

There is still a small stock of early commissions – beginning with the design Christmas in Rome in 2006 - available. If you are interested in these please contact Bob or Pat, details below.

Because Bob and Pat are collectors at heart they can empathise with their customers and this means the service they offer through the business is world class. ‘It’s not just the amazing ability to paint in such minute scale – inside and outside of a piece - that appeals’, Pat says, ‘but it is because the enamels are small they are easy to display. The sentiments expressed are so heart warming – I shall never forget the first piece Bob gave to me, it was such a romantic gesture early in our life together. There’s a depth that comes from the hand painting and it truly is the perfect way to introduce a work of art to the home.’

To find out more about Cameron & Smith go on line at www.cameronsmith.com or email Bob at enamels@cameronsmith.com. Tel: 001 772 778 7862.

US and Canada residents toll free number 1-800-472-9862.

Cameron & Smith ExclusivesThe eclectic mix of subjects, artists and shapes ensure there is something to appeal to a range of tastes.

Christmas in Rome designed by Rodney Shackell and painted by Elizabeth Todd, Limited edition 50, 2006. This is the third in a series of enamels celebrating Christmas festivities in European capital cities. $300

American Bald Eagle, painted by Fiona Bakewell, Limited edition 25, 2008. Produced in association with Bronte Porcelain and inspired by the 225th anniversary of the Bald Eagle as the National Bird of America. $850

Tiger Eyes painted by Sandra Selby, Limited edition 25, 2009 $255

Sailfish paperweight in aluminium, painted by Angela Roberts, Limited edition 15, 2010. RRP $299

American Civil War painted by Peter Graves, Limited edition of 15 RRP £995 / $1495

Tiger EyesRRP $255

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A Self Made ArtistA love of travel, a natural artistic ability and an enquiring mind has resulted in one of the most talented of enamel artists in recent times. Stephen Ward’s designs have enchanted enamel collectors for over two decades and as he approaches retirement we take a look back at his remarkable career.

Steve was born in war time Wolverhampton in 1943 and although life was less austere when he left school many ideas remained entrenched – including the thought that ‘art was something other people did’. This meant that despite demonstrating talent for painting it was not deemed suitable as a career and so he joined an engineering company as an apprentice. Painting landscapes in oils and watercolours remained a weekend hobby.

Changing jobs, Steve began working for Ferro and became interested in ceramics but after a while the urge to travel became irresistible and he headed ‘down under’ to Australia. Spending a year or so mainly in Sydney and Brisbane, Steve had several jobs including one with an architect painting impressions of proposed buildings.

Returning home, Steve decided to approach the major china companies –with a portfolio of his work and before long he was offered a job by Royal Worcester. ‘Here,’ Steve continued, ‘I was lucky to work alongside artists who’d been trained by artists of the calibre of the Stintons or Harry Davis. They were generous in passing on their knowledge to me, but I never had any formal training. Soon I was making other contacts especially in the Malvern area where I was then living and so I left to take up freelance painting and commission work, working for Hereford Fine China and Albany Fine China.’

The travel bug soon hit again and Steve moved to Monza in Italy and here he taught English, worked for Industria Porcellane Artistiche (IPA), modelling figurines for Capodimonte and creating designs for use on tableware, hotelware or for other media such as clothing. This varied work gave Steve valuable experience in adapting and interpreting existing designs for alternative use and particularly in increasing or reducing the scale of an original concept but maintaining accurate proportions – all skills that would come into play when he began to paint enamels.

In the early 1980s Steve returned to the UK working for Royal Worcester and as a freelance artist. He set up a studio in Walsall masterminding the modelling, mould making and painting of every ceramic piece but in 1989 he swapped jobs again. Working for Bilston Enamels, Steve quickly established a reputation for fine enamel painting and before long was working for Elliot first at Moorcroft Enamels and then at Elliot Hall Enamels.

Steve enjoys the freedom that painting for Elliot allows, ‘it is often easy to come up with an idea for an enamel painting,’ he said, ‘but there are two challenges - one is to ensure that the design is both accurate to the subject and the second that it is in proportion to the shape of the enamel.’ The Egg Series painted with Butterflies reveals

this complexity. one is to ensure that the design is both accurate to the subject and the second that it is in proportion to the shape of the enamel.’ The Egg Series painted with Butterflies reveals this complexity.

With thousands of butterfly species to choose from, Steve selected six popular in England and studying them he realised each stands, flutters or rests on blossom in a different way, and markings on males differ to females. When the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, it has six legs, but in some species two wither away or are shortened and Steve had to decide whether to show these or not. ‘I chose,’ he says, ‘to place each butterfly with the flower it commonly sits on but to ensure the eggs worked as a series I had to use some artistic licence and I painted each butterfly and flower to the same scale, although in reality there are differences. The antennae and legs required a very delicate touch as they are finer than my most minute brush!’

Steve is looking forward to retirement, but he’s got plenty of decorating and gardening to keep him busy for a while, as well as caring for his elderly mother. ‘Longer term,’ he adds, ‘I think I’ll be travelling again - I’d love to return to Italy.’

Steve’s career has included all aspects of ceramic making from sculpting and design to painting. His engineering apprenticeship gave him technical and practical knowledge which has complemented his natural creative talents. Looking back he says, ‘Life has been hard at times, as a self employed craftsman you are never quite sure what your next job will be. The statistics for survival are not good, I was always told that out of 20,000 professional craftsmen two might make it – but I seem to have been one of the lucky ones.’

Elliot adds, ‘Steve is modest about his achievements for there’s no doubt that he is a brilliant artist, and he’s all the more remarkable because he is largely self taught. We are lucky that he has painted the Egg Collection for Elliot Hall Enamels. Tiffany and I wish him well for the future and we are sure he will be enjoying some adventurous travels before too long.

‘The Egg series has an interesting story behind its development. When I designed the original shape it looked more like an acorn than an egg – so it was back to the drawing board to make the shape more oval and egg-like to fit the design that Steve had already conceived. However, I asked Elizabeth Todd to paint the four acorn shaped enamels that I had produced. I have one in my collection but the others were sold to private collectors. Some day they may turn up on the secondary market. Good hunting!’

Butterfly EggsLimited Edition of 15

RRP £1250

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OmbersleyNew Elliot Hall Enamel shapes are named after the towns and villages of Worcestershire, in this way Elliot pays tribute to the area that has nurtured many enamel artists. In this issue we take a look at Ombersley – a classically elegant vase shape and also a village with many historic and prestigious links.

Ombersley is about seven miles from Worcester and dates back to Saxon times. The parish was given to Evesham Abbey in the early 8th century by King Ethelweard of the Hwicce, and the Abbey cultivated and administered the region’s fertile land for several centuries. In the 14th century the Abbots were given the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair, indicating the village’s increasingly important geographic position at the crossing of two high roads and close to a bridge over the River Severn.

During the Tudor, Elizabethan and Jacobean periods the village grew in size. Fortunately many of the 15th and 16th century buildings still stand today and their attractive timbered facades give Ombersley its historic character and visual appeal. One important building is the King’s Arms Inn, dating from c.1450, where King Charles II is said to have stayed after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. With its wooden beams, uneven floors and inglenook fireplaces it’s popular with locals and tourists alike.

Less impressive to look at but just as important to the heritage of the village is the plague stone. This was originally on the outskirts of the village and warned travellers to keep away, parcels of food were left in the trough and in return the villagers would leave money to pay for the goods.

The impressive Ombersley Court was built between 1724 and 32 for the Sandys family who inherited the manor of Ombersley in 1560 - when Edwin Sandys was appointed Bishop of Worcester by Queen Elizabeth I. Over the following centuries the family’s connections with the village developed and they commissioned many other buildings including St Andrew’s Church and the Crown & Sandys Hotel. Amongst notable visitors to the estate was Dr Johnson who later recalled, with mouth-watering delight, the copious quantities of soft fruit that had been served to him there, and the Duke of Wellington who is said to have planted a Wellingtonia tree in the grounds – it’s now a magnificent specimen towering well over 118 feet!

There may even be a connection with the famous Lea and Perrins sauce. The sauce was developed by the Worcester chemists after a request to mix a curry powder from a local nobleman – and it is possible that it was a friend staying with Baroness Sandys who provided the recipe for the spicy blend in the early 1830s. And,

during the Second World War, Ombersley Court had a royal secret to keep - the ceremonial state carriages were garaged in the stables to protect them from potential damage during the bombing of London.

With so many fascinating facts to discover Ombersley is, without doubt, one of Worcestershire’s finest black and white villages and a fitting name for an outstanding Elliot Hall Enamel.

The prestigious Ombersley shape was unveiled in 2007 with Sandra Selby’s design of a pair of Chaffinches feeding their young and a Great Tit and Blue Tit perched amongst blossom. In 2009 Nigel Creed painted a hauntingly beautiful design of Barn Owls portraying them hunting as well as a ‘bird’s eye view’ of life within the nest.

ELLIOT HALL ENAMELS LIMITED UNIT F1A BLACKPOLE TRADING ESTATE EAST, BLACKPOLE ROAD, BLACKPOLE,

WORCESTER, WR3 8SG.

T: 07974 444412 E: elliot@elliothallenamels.co.ukwww.elliothallenamels.co.uk

American Civil War painted by Peter Graves, Limited edition of 15 RRP £995 / $1495

Cameron & Smith Exclusives

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War