Collaboration Piece - Celtic Cross
These are special commissioned pieces for AD Antiques. They are a collaboration with Hart Gold and Silversmiths of Chipping Campden.
Hart Gold and Silversmiths are known around the world for their amazing handcrafted work with gold and sliver. The company dates back to the early 1900’s when their founder, George Hart, joined the Guild of Handicrafts which was formed by Charles Ashbee in 1888. By passing on the skills necessary down the generations, the company continue to produce some of the world’s finest gold and silver handcrafted treasures.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity and privilege of working with Hart Gold and Silversmiths to produce this incredible piece.
The design I created for these special pieces is a Celtic Cross. I have been intrigued by Celtic Crosses since seeing them in Cornwall where they nestle in the landscape. Viewing them in their natural surroundings felt like travelling back in time.
I was inspired by the different meanings attributed to the cross and circle. Some sources say the cross and circle symbolise Christianity and God’s love. Others say they circle is a Pagan symbol and the cross is the Christian symbol. In my design I have used the cross to symbolise Christianity and the circle to symbolise Pagan traditions. I wanted this piece to represent a celebration of these two different beliefs. To develop the idea as a celebration of difference, I included a snake in the design which I used to represent temptations that are common to us all regardless of our belief.
The design challenge I set myself was to create a Celtic Cross made up of Celtic Knot-work. I wanted the design to be recognisable from a distance, just like Celtic Crosses are in their natural surroundings, yet superbly detailed when viewed up close. The knot-work design has been repeated on the silver lid created by the wonderful craftsmen at Hart Gold and Silversmiths. Integrated into the design on the silver lid are four circles of Abalone.
There are only two of these collaboration pieces available, one on my extra large tower and one on my large tower. The Celtic Cross collaboration pieces will be released at the Haughton International Fairs Art Antiques London fair on the 12th-19th of June 2013.
The prices for the collaboration pieces are:
Extra Large £13,500 inc. VAT.
Large £9,800 inc. VAT.
The XL tower is 21" high and 5" at the base.
The Large tower is 17" high and 4" at the base.
