Silver & Collectors' Items - Day 1 and Day 2 - 16th July 2013

Lot 1098

A modern 9 carat gold and rhodium plated 9 carat gold chess set

Estimate £6,000 - £8,000 | Hammer £6000

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Description

A modern 9 carat gold and rhodium plated 9 carat gold chess set,

by Robert May, London 1969,

the pieces with textured decoration, on small circular wooden bases, in a fitted wooden box, the two perspex slide-off covers form the chess board, height of king 5.5cm, length of box 37.7cm, approx. total weight including small wooden bases 642g.

Provenance: This set was commissioned by the present owner's father.

Robert May trained in silversmithing and Jewellery at the Canterbury

College of Art between 1953 - 58 under the tutelage of RJ Ruby and

JE Stapley. On completion of his education he worked in industry for

several years. In 1962 his career took a new direction when he was

instrumental in formulating and developing silversmithing and jewellery

courses at the Medway College of Design, which put the emphasis on

vocational training. This was of particular personal interest to him and

the new range of dynamic curricula ensured that Medway became a major

centre for industrially linked courses of national and international

renown.

Robert May remained at Medway for 30 years, combining his position as

Principal Lecturer with the establishment of a personal workshop where

he actively practised his skill as a designer craftsman. He undertook

varied commissions which included both trophy work and domestic

silverware. Of note are the Baptismal Scoop made for the Chapel Royal,

a mace for use within HM Tower of London and also a set of water jugs,

the gift of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths to the University of

Kent at Canterbury. In 1988 he was awarded the Garrard Gold Medal. This

award is presented annually to the person who, in the opinion of the

Goldsmiths' Craft Council, has done most within the fields of silversmithing

and jewellery to motivate and promote high standards, or has made a

significant contribution by encouraging others. Ref: Royal Goldsmiths: Garrard Design and Patronage in the Twentieth Century, Nell-Rhys Williams, page 62.

This lot is sold with two original photographs of the set.