My gallery, Walker Metalsmiths in Fairport, NY is planning an
exhibition of about 60 to 70 pieces that will illustrate the
development of modern Celtic Revival jewelry. Celtic ornament is used
as both an emblem of ethnic heritage and a reference to the distant
past. As a living art form the more recent past tends to be ignored
in favor of earlier sources. This project is intended to address the
ways in which Celtic design has been revived, re-imagined and evolved
from the 19th century to within living memory.
At present we have 80% the pieces needed to illustrate the subject,
either through our own collection or loans from collectors and
dealers. We are looking for additional loans of jewelry to illustrate
specific trends or makers and are also exploring the possibility of
exhibiting the work in other venues. We plan to exhibit in Fairport
from March - June 2013.
The catalog of the show will be lavishly illustrated with articles
by several authors. Dr. E. Mairi MacArthur of the New Iona Press has
agreed to contribute on Alexander Ritchie and the Celtic Art of Iona
and Ms. Tara Kelly, who is a recent art history PhD at Trinity
College Dublin, will share some of the material from her dissertation
on Irish Celtic Revival jewelry. Aidan Breen, famed Irish craftsman,
will write a firsthand account of the transition from the lingering
tradition of the Celtic Revival in Irish jewelry and silversmithing
through its blossoming into the current Celtic Renaissance in the
late 20th century.
We are cutting it off at about 1985 when the current popularity of
Celtic jewelry was just beginning to take off. We want to show some
of the early work of jewelers who were pioneers of the current
generation.
There are a few gaps in the material. Perhaps someone on Orchid
either owns a piece they would be willing to loan for several months
or knows someone who would. Specifically I am seeking:
An example of jewelry by Arhibald Knox for Liberty & Co. circa
1890-1905 An “Iona” wedding ring by John Hart. These are still being
made but we want to show an earlier example with hallmarks prior to
1980.
A Victorian jeweled dirk or sgian dhubh with interlace design on the
mountings.
A “Scotch pebble” brooch AKA Scottish Agate brooch of the design
worn by Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. We already
have a very good selection of other pebble jewelry. This design in
particular would make a good connection to popular culture.
An older Claddagh ring. 19th century ones are extremely rare. We
would like to show something older than the 1980s examples that we
have now.
An enameled “Hunterston Brooch” by either Alexander Ritchie, HHI or
Iain MacCormick.
Early work by Aidan Breen of Dublin. Aidan is being very helpful
with this project, but does not still own any of his pieces from the
late 1970s or early 1980s.
Stephen Walker