Art in Industry
The Silver of PAUL STORR
by Christopher Hartop
with a foreword by Kathryn Jones
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Obtainable from any good bookseller or from: |
John Adamson:
90 Hertford Street, Cambridge CB4 3AQ, UK.
e-mail: Book orders
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Distributed in the United States and Canada by:
| ACC Publishing Group, New York:
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Distributed in Japan by:
| MHM Limited
1-1-13-4F Kanda Jimbocho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
Japan
+81 (0) 3 3518 9181
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Paul Storr (1770–1844) is the most famous English silversmith of the Georgian period.
His work, represented in museums across Britain and North America, covers a wide range of styles, from stark classicism to exuberant
naturalism, but always with workmanship of stunning quality. Storr’s working career spanned nearly fifty years and saw the rise of
Britain as a great sea power and of London as the centre of an empire that rivalled ancient Rome. Advances in industry and technology
were embraced by Storr, an artist and businessman who ranks alongside Josiah Wedgwood and Matthew Boulton in the history of decorative
arts in Britain. New customs in dining and drinking are reflected in the wealth of articles from Storr’s workshop, the output of which
reflects the great flourishing of the arts in early nineteenth-century Britain.
The first for more than sixty years, this important new study of Storr’s career and work will be an indispensable source book for scholars,
curators, collectors and dealers.
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It was a time of great technological innovation, and entrepreneurs like Storr were successful in combining great art with fine craftsmanship,
much of the latter helped by the latest machines. The designs were provided by well-known names of the Regency such as John Flaxman, William
Theed, Edward Hodges Baily and Thomas Stothard. Paul Storr (1770–1844), acknowledged to be the greatest silversmith of the Regency period,
holds a special place in the history of English silver. The workshops he directed, first for the Royal Goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell,
and later on his own account, wrought some of the greatest silver of the first half of the nineteenth century. He numbered among his clients
not only British royalty and the aristocracy, but Portuguese dukes, French nobles and prominent Americans. The year 2015 marks the bicentennial
of the Battle of Waterloo, which saw Britain emerge as the dominant power in Europe. Military campaigns on land and sea, a more international
outlook, newly fashionable foods, changes in table settings, and above all the creation of great wealth for Britain resulted in a revolution
in silverware.
“A new study of Paul Storr has been long overdue. In this book Christopher Hartop puts the spotlight firmly on the man and his
work, and explores the complex interlinked worlds of craftsmen, designers and those who sold their products.”
Kathryn Jones, Senior Curator, Royal Collection Trust, in her foreword to the book
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“Art in Indutry: The Silver of Paul Storr is the third in a trio of catalogues by Christopher Hartop published in conjunction with selling exhibitions at the London dealer Koopman Rare Art. The earlier
two are The Classical Ideal: English Silver 1760–1840 and
Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797–1843.These lavishly illustrated books cover an important
period for British silver. Hartop discusses objects, relates facts and gossip about makers, designers and patrons, and explores workshop practices, in an easily readable style.”
Vanessa Brett, Art Newspaper, December 2016
“This impeccably researched volume is a fitting tribute to the artistry of Paul Storr.”
Rachel Conroy, Apollo, March 2016
“Elaborate tableware, candelabra, serving utensils, and more are highlighted as Christopher Hartop explores Paul Storr’s quiet yet stunning career.”
Maine Antique Digest, June 2016
“stimulating . . . Mr Hartop’s book reveal[s] an underrated world of British artistic and industrial endeavour”
Philippa Glanville, Country Life, 14 October 2015
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Foreword by Kathryn Jones
Chronology
Introduction
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
| Early Life
The Rundell Years
Storr and Mortimer
The Legacy
Collecting Paul Storr
Great Collections
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Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Photographic Credits
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Christopher Hartop FSA is the author of numerous books on silver.
In 2005 he curated the exhibition Royal Goldsmiths: The Art of Rundell & Bridge 1797–1843. He is a Liveryman of the
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
Kathryn Jones is Senior Curator, Royal Collection Trust.
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Contact the publishers or local agents for further information: Enquiries
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