Arthur J. Stone 1847-1938, Designer and Silversmith was the first survey of the master of American Arts and Crafts silver and showcased the influence of nature in his work.
The exhibition illustrated Stone’s inventive and historical designs, informed by the natural elements of plants and flowers. Stone used ornamental chasing, or surface modeling, to raise patterns in relief, creating subtle decorations. One such highlight in the exhibition was a tea and coffee set (1916-18), created for George G. Booth, founder of the Cranbrook Academy and Art Museum. The set, in silver with gold wash and ivory insulators was embellished with an array of gold grapes and silver leaves. Works like this one revealed Stone’s scholarly approach as well as his adoption of historical forms, ranging from Etruscan art to French baroque to English 17th- and 18th-century decorative arts.
Organized by the American Federation of Arts, the exhibition was one of two concurrent major silver shows held at Bard Graduate Center, along with English Silver: Masterpieces by Omar Ramsden from the Campbell Collection.
The exhibition illustrated Stone’s inventive and historical designs, informed by the natural elements of plants and flowers. Stone used ornamental chasing, or surface modeling, to raise patterns in relief, creating subtle decorations. One such highlight in the exhibition was a tea and coffee set (1916-18), created for George G. Booth, founder of the Cranbrook Academy and Art Museum. The set, in silver with gold wash and ivory insulators was embellished with an array of gold grapes and silver leaves. Works like this one revealed Stone’s scholarly approach as well as his adoption of historical forms, ranging from Etruscan art to French baroque to English 17th- and 18th-century decorative arts.
Organized by the American Federation of Arts, the exhibition was one of two concurrent major silver shows held at Bard Graduate Center, along with English Silver: Masterpieces by Omar Ramsden from the Campbell Collection.
