Fruit Bowl

This rare Arts and Crafts fruit bowl is a beautiful example of silver work. Above the moulded spreading foot, the wide stem incorporates a band of four enamel plaques, separated by silver Celtic crosses applied on to a chequerboard background and set, alternately, with a moonstone or darker pink labradorite. The colours of the enamels harmonise delicately with the silver bowl. The Handicrafts Company was set up under the supervision of Richard George Hatton in 1899, as an attempt to bridge the gap between art school production of the decorative arts and crafts as opposed to fine art, and their commercial distribution. Skilled in a wide range of applied arts, Hatton designed stained glass, embroidery, and woodwork as well as silver and bronze.