Frederick James Partridge
Frederick James Partridge (c.1877–1946) (known as Fred Partridge, works signed "FJP") was an English jeweller, silversmith and teacher of jewellery making, active circa 1901–1930.[1] His works are in the Art Nouveau style. He has been called the "British René Lalique".[2]
Origins[edit]
He was born in Barnstaple, North Devon, the son of David Partridge (a pharmacist) and his wife Mary Ann Hunt.[3] His elder sister Ethel Mairet (1872-1952) (née Partridge)[4] was a notable weaver, textile designer and dyer who wrote several books on hand-weaving.[1]
Career[edit]
He studied at Birmingham Municipal School of Art[5] where he shared lodgings with Henry Payne, painter and stained glass designer. After two years (c.1907-9) teaching at the Camberwell School of Art[6] in London and spending time at the Barnstaple Guild of Metalwork[7] and at the Guild and School of Handicraft in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire (established as a community of artists and craftspeople by the arts and crafts architect Charles Robert Ashbee), where his sister Ethel also studied,[8] he established himself as an artist and art jeweller, at some time before 1911[1] and worked from a studio in Dean Street,[7] London. Amongst his clients was the department store Liberty & Co[7] in Regent Street, London.
Marriage[edit]
His wife, May Hart Partridge (born c.1881 in Harborne, Staffordshire - died 1917), was an art enameller who studied at the Birmingham School of Art.[9] She was "the most notorious pupil of Arthur Gaskin".[10] Her works are mainly in the Arts and Crafts style. She later worked at London County Council schools and at home.[11][1][10]
Works[edit]
Two of Fred Partridge's works from 1928 are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, a brooch (M.14-1976) and a ring (M.15-1976), the latter of silver set with a baguette amethyst, made for his daughter Joan.[12] A brooch (c.1930) (1981M400) is in the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011, Frederick James Partridge
- ^ "Art Nouveau Buckle by FREDERICK JAMES PARTRIDGE - Tadema Gallery".
- ^ "Ethel Mairet". Brighton University. Archived from the original on August 1, 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ She married firstly Ananda K Coomeraswamy, secondly Philip Mairet
- ^ "Partridge, Frederick James | Antique Jewelry University".
- ^ Listed as a teacher of day classes in jewellery design and making, and of evening classes in jewellery making
- ^ a b c Bonhams, 2019, An enamel and mother-of-pearl necklace, by Frederick James Partridge, circa 1905
- ^ "C R Ashbee". Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Collection | Themes | Enamel plaque | William Morris Gallery".
- ^ a b For career of Mary Hart Partridge see: Toni Lesser Wolf, Women Jewelers of the British Arts and Crafts Movement, Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, Vol. 14 (Autumn, 1989), pp. 28-45
- ^ Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 'Artist & Art Jeweller' working on own account, his wife May is an 'Art enameller' working at 'LCC and other Schools', also working at home
- ^ "Ring | Partridge, Fred | V&A Explore the Collections".