A French silvered bronze Société Des Artistes Francais medal...

Hammer

£50

A French silvered bronze Société Des Artistes Francais medal. By Daniel Dupius, awarded in 1927 to Henri (Henry) Wilson for Sculpture, diameter 5.3cm. Henry Wilson was born near Liverpool on 12th March 1864. Having studied at Kidderminster School of Art, Westminster School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London; he began his career as Chief Assistant to the Gothic revival architect J.D Sedding. As his career progressed, he was increasingly drawn to the associated arts. From 1901 he taught metalwork at the Royal College of Arts and the Central School of Arts and Crafts. By 1903, he had published a practical manual, Silverwork and Jewellery, detailing his entire working process from initial sketches to notes on how stones should be fixed. His later positions as Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1917 and President of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society from 1915 to 1922 cemented his significance in early-twentieth century design and education. His metalwork and jewellery pieces echo medieval styles, deliberately more modest than the extravagant jewels of Victorian high society. His style united influences from Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau with his own interpretation of traditional forms, symbols and nature. He died in Menton, France, in 1934