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DON PORRITT

 
DON PORRITT is one of the major silversmiths featured in my book 'DESIGNER BRITISH SILVER - from Studios Established 1930-1985'. At 87 years old he is still producing cutting edge work.   
 
STYLES SILVER first showed his work successfully in 2009 for ‘BRITISH SILVER WEEK’ and are excited about having such a good cross section of his work here now.   
 
Don Porritt was born in West Yorkshire in 1933 and left school at 14. He worked as a sales assistant in a family run jeweller in Leeds before starting a 5-year apprenticeship at the bench with evenings studying at the Leeds College of Art. After National Service spent in Malaya, he returned to LCA where his tutor Alann Fisher started showing interest in his work.  
 
In 1958 he was awarded the City & Guilds of London Institute 1st Prize Bronze Metal for Diamond Mounting which enabled him enrol fulltime at LCA to study design as well – they accepted this award in lieu of the normal portfolio. In the 4-year course he secured an Intermediate Certificate in Art & Craft (Silver) and a National Design Diploma, Industrial Design. In 1964 he set up his own studio as an industrial designer, silversmith and sculptor and the following year started lecturing on industrial design at Leeds College of Art. Before taking up this post he visited Finland and Holland on a bursary from the Royal Society of Arts. In 1973 he was able to revisit Finland, together with Poland and the USSR, on a 10-12 week Travelling Scholarship awarded by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. In 1992 he relinquished his teaching post and was able to devote his time to silver design and manufacture.  
 
His commissions include many important sporting trophies and awards. 
 
Don believes the ultimate challenge of the silversmith is to create a unique sculptural form while maintaining the expressive inner content of the piece. The vibrancy of rivers, rapids, cascades and the fluidity of water in its many moods are the collective inspiration for these experimental pieces of modern domestic silverwork. 
 
Flask, flagons. Jugs, bowls and other vessels are created by a combination of innovative piercing, seaming and overlap techniques which impart a flowing, dynamic quality to each piece. The surface detailing and texture of the finished designs evolve in a natural manner directly from their process of construction. 
 
 

                                                                                                           SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ITEMS 

DON PORRITT Silver LONG STEM SPOON
Sheffield 
Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Length: 19 cm
Weight: 39 gm
£ 120.00
DON PORRITT Cast Silver CADDY SPOON
Sheffield 2009

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Pear Shaped Bowl
Length: 11.3 cm 
Weight: 47 gm

See The Goldsmiths' Company Video 'CREATION' to see Don making this design with a Cuttlefish Bone mould for casting
£ 250.00
DON PORRITT Silver CADDY SPOON 1
Sheffield 2020

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Circular Bowl with Textured Front to Handle

Length: 90 mm
Weight: 25 gm

Commissioned especially for Styles Silver -  This spoon echoes the strong flowing lines of Don's  jug designs and a well struck hallmark is sited on the underside of the handle as a distinctive part of the overall design
£ 250.00
DON PORRITT Silver CADDY SPOON 3
Sheffield 2020

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Oval Bowl with Textured Sides of Handle

Length: 95 mm
Weight: 30 gm

Commissioned especially for Styles Silver - This spoon echoes the strong flowing lines of Don's  jug designs and a well struck hallmark is sited on the underside of the handle as a distinctive part of the overall design
£ 250.00
DON PORRITT Silver CADDY SPOON 4
Sheffield 2020

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Oval Bowl with Textured Front of Handle

Length: 95 mm
Weight: 29 gm

Commissioned especially for Styles Silver - This spoon echoes the strong flowing lines of Don's  jug designs and a well struck hallmark is sited on the underside of the handle as a distinctive part of the overall design
£ 250.00
DON PORRITT Silver 'FLOWING WATER'  JUG
Sheffield 2008

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Height: 23.5cm
Weight: 22 oz

The body of the jug is constructed of two main sections. The front, with its strong curvilinear profiled edge and flowing, wire emphasis - is backed by a repoussé formed rear element. The dynamic wire feature is an essential constructional detail - the repoussé rear section is profiled to fit the front at this juncture - and also fits underneath the wire to guarantee a sound seam between the two body elements. (The flowing shaped wire is not just an applied decorative feature). The handle is hollow and a four piece construction
£ 1,450.00
DON PORRITT Silver VASE
Sheffield 1998

Fully Hallmarked Silver
Sterling (925)

Height: 11.5 cm
Weight: 247 g

This was made as a private commission
£ 295.00
x DON PORRITT Exhibition Catalogue DESIGN IN FINE METAL
Catalogue for the exhibition 'Design in Fine Metal' held at The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe - January 2005

40 pages well illustrated + biographical info

Only posts within the UK

£ 10.00