Copper and Silver Arts & Crafts Planished Vase Designed by Jesson Birkett & Co and made by Albert Edward Jones, Birmingham Guild of Handicraft, circa 1905

The copper vase is hand planished and fitted with silver strips with the egg and dart pattern that Jones used frequently. The rim has a silver edge and the body of the vase has three circular details with flowers. The base of the vase is stamped with the design number (No.2465).

In line with other works by A E Jones, this piece is unmarked, save for the pattern number. It is in excellent condition.

Albert Edward Jones was born into a family with a long tradition of craftsmanship, dating back to 1780. A E. Jones’ formal training took place at the Birmingham School of Art, and there he was trained under an Edward R.Taylor. It was here that he came to meet and work with a selection of purveyors of the Arts and Crafts Movement such as Arthur Dixon, Bernard Cuzner and Arthur Gaskin. Jones was also a member of the Guildsman of the Birmingham Guild of Handicraft for a time, and here was further influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement.

He founded A. E. Jones & Co. in Birmingham in 1902. Although best known for hallmarked silver, the firm was also notable for its work in bronze, copper and brass. Frequently, his copper pieces were given a patina via the process established by F.W. Salthouse in the late 1800s. In 1905 A. E. Jones & Co. acquired Jesson Birkett & Co. Ltd., which produced in Birmingham between 1904 and 1910. Jesson Birkett & Co was run by a former Birmingham Guild member, Thomas Birkett. Thomas had purchased many of Richard Llewellyn Rathbone’s designs and patination processes and also utilised some skilful designers such as Anne Grisdale Stubbs and Bert Harvey. From 1905 to 1910 it appears that both firms made many of the same designs.