I am a master goldsmith based in Surrey, England. I have been a
working goldsmith for 43 years now. I served a six year
apprenticeship under a master goldsmith and before setting up my own
company “James Miller Design” back in 1985, I worked in London for a
company making items for Asprey and Garrard. My work is varied and
draws inspiration from flora and fauna using techniques of
manufacture that have changed very little over the centuries. I work
mainly in 18K gold and silver using hard fired enamels to add colour
to my pieces. I mostly work to commission so each piece can be
unique to the customer…
I would love to know the sequence how that piece was made.After you
designed it did you carve the bird out of wax and then cast it? I
assume the beak holds the whole bird up.Is the beak reinforced? Did
you enamel the entire bird at once or does a piece like that get
assembled later?
Also the crystal flowers fascinate me. Did you first carve a model
and then carve them from the rock or did you just carve straight
into the stone? Are there any other pictures or descriptions
available to drool over?. So many,many more questions I have and at
the risk of prying, how long did it take you to make such a stunning
piece and (ahem) just more or less,(slight blush) the price for
something like that?
After publishing James Miller’s first Orchid gallery
[ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/jmdesign.htm ] we were flooded with
emails and requests to see more of Miller’s exquisite work. You asked
and we listen. James Miller and Orchid are proud to present a second
showcase of his work featuring:
Forget Me Not Easter Egg
Islamic Frame
Bowl Table Set for 4
Ancient Islamic Prayer Set
Orchids, with a plique a jour enamelled butterfly
Award Winning Tutankhamun Mask Paperweight
and a Mystery clock
About the artist:
I am a master goldsmith based in Surrey, England. I have been a
working goldsmith for 43 years now. I served a six year
apprenticeship under a master goldsmith and before setting up my own
company “James Miller Design” back in 1985, I worked in London for a
company making items for Asprey and Garrard. My work is varied and
draws inspiration from flora and fauna using techniques of
manufacture that have changed very little over the centuries. I work
mainly in 18K gold and silver using hard fired enamels to add colour
to my pieces. I mostly work to commission so each piece can be
unique to the customer.
Mr. Miller’s work takes my breath away. My words are completely
inadequate to do justice to the quality of his work - - all I can
say is: “WOW, now that is a master jeweler!”
Thank you so much for sharing even more of your exquisite work. I
am in awe. Reminiscent but even better than Faberge - James, your
pieces are museum quality and I hope they are exhibited so everyone
can see such amazing work!!