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Keith Tyssen

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  • Silver

Keith Tyssen

80 Gell Street
Sheffield

S3 7QW

Work: 0114 273 0639

Fax: 0114 273 0639

Website

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About this designer / maker

Biography

For me, a major part of the appeal of any good design is that it makes a bold statement, but calmly and well tempered enough to equip an object with a quiet serenity, enabling it to stand alone, yet also to sit well anywhere, no matter its market value or social status. It also happens that silver in particular is a wonderfully responsive and almost magical material, to touch, to work and to use. This 'noble' metal is in itself a delight and generously complimentary. The rewards of working for a variety of collectors, the Clergy and patrons include occasion for visiting elegant buildings - and for enjoying some fine foods. It provides memorable experiences; clinging on to rickety scaffolding whilst fixing my large gilded wooden cross suspended below the roof of Churchill College Chapel; lunching on lobster washed down with champagne at Armourers’ and Braziers Hall, and attending an informal private luncheon for the late Sir John Betjeman when we both drank from his new silver mug which Lady Elizabeth had commissioned me to make to celebrate his 70th birthday. It shocks me now to reckon up the years....and yet perhaps there's time enough to make "a few late Chrysanthemums"...

Price Guide

Silver commissions from £500

Silver stock items from £400 to £1000

Specialist Techniques

All within the usual range of silversmithing.

Training College

Royal College of Art, 3 years - School of Silversmithing & Jewellery - DesRCA Sheffield College of Art & Crafts, 5 years - Craft: Silversmithing - N.D.D. 1st Class Hons

Exhibitions

Works on permanent exhibition in the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield.

2002:
‘Celebration in Gold and Silver’ Goldsmiths’ Hall, London.
‘Innovation & Design’ The Koldinghus Museum, Denmark.
‘British Silver’ - the ABDS Group at the Royal Cornwall Museum, Turo.
100% Design Show, Earls Court, London.

2001:
‘British Silver’ - ABDS Group at the Keith Lipert Gallery, Washington, USA.
Chelsea Crafts Fair, London
100% Design Show, Earls Court, London.

2000:
The Silver Show - ABDS Group at Leighton House Museum, London.
Chelsea Craft Fair, London.
100% Design Show, Earls Court, London.
Treasures of the 20th Century, Goldsmiths' Hall, London.
Inhorgenta 2000, Munich (with the Crafts Council).
Opening exhibition, and continuing with several works on permanent display at the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield, including a large punch bowl and ladle in collaboration with Alex Brogden, Chris Knight and Brett Payne.
Jan - March, Preview of the above item(s) at the V&A Museum, London.

Publications

‘Silversmiths’ Gallery’ catalogue Koldinghus Museum, Denmark, 2002. Several Goldsmiths' Company catalogues including: ‘Celebration in Gold and Silver’ 2002 ‘Treasures of the Millennium’ 2000 'A ##Sterling# Adventure - British Silver' - ##ABDS# catalogue 2001 ‘Buyers’ Guide to Contemporary British Metal’, Crafts Council Publication, 2001 'The Contemporary Decorative Arts' by Phillipe Garner (Phaidon 1980) 'Modern Silver' - Graham Hughes, Studio Vista, 1980. 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' - Fiona MacCarthy (George Allen & Unwin 1972)

Public Collections

H.M. Government gift to the people of the Bahamas Islands – a multi-purpose centrepiece (a bowl, loose support for flowers and six-light candelabrum). Parliamentary gift on the independence of Mauritius – a ceremonial mace. The late Lord Farringdon's gift to the Plumbers' Company - two candelabras. The Armourers' and Brasiers' Company - cigarette box and flower bowl. The Dyers' Company - pair of wall sconces. London School of Economics - one 7-light and two 4-light candelabras. Exeter University - Goldsmiths' Company gift - pair of 15-light candelabras. Mary Duchess of Devonshire - gift to Exeter University - dish. Wolfson College - ten 2-light candlesticks. Newnham College - Goldsmiths' Company gift, two 3-light candelabras. The Furniture Makers' Guild - a mace. Lady Elizabeth Cavendish - 70th birthday gift for the late Sir John Betjeman. Menston Parish Church, Yorkshire - pair of altar candlesticks and a suspended cross. The University of Humberside - ceremonial mace. Several items for the 'Sefer Torah' in a new synagogue in Sheffield. Punch bowl and ladle, in collaboration with Alex Brogden, Chris Knight and Brett Payne, commissioned by Sheffield Assay Office.

Awards

1963 - Topham Trophy Design Competition, 2nd prize
1966 - Topham Trophy Design Competition, 3rd prize, subsequently commissioned by the Goldsmiths' Company for their collection.

Galleries

 Crafts Council Photostore Primavera Roger Billcliffe Gallery Styles Silver