Samuel Waterhouse
Samuel Waterhouse’s SS Collection is redefining jewellery and silverware design.
Based in Sheffield, designer Samuel Waterhouse found his affinity for jewellery making at an early age. Inspired by antiquity, Samuel aims to create simple yet contemporary jewellery and silverware. He attempts to retain a minimalistic aesthetic in all his work in order that beauty can stem mainly from the surface and colour of the materials used.
His designs capture the essence of the great artists of the Renaissance period who started off their careers in goldsmith workshops learning about the accuracy of line and clarity of style. As a goldsmith, Samuel is becoming a master of specialist techniques and the influence of the classical tradition is abundant.
The composition of the materials is extremely important to him. He therefore creates his own alloys of metals – usually only comprising of two elements; fine silver and 24ct gold. He enjoys combining these two elements in differing quantities to create a range of different grades of ‘green gold.’
A technique he employs often in his work is the Korean practice Keum Boo whereby he hand rolls, then hammers Gold into a foil which can then be applied to fine silver. By hand making his own foil he can control the thickness of gold that is applied to his work, something which enables him to keep developing a piece even after the gold has been applied.
Contrary to traditional practice whereby Keum Boo is a finishing technique. He does this as he believes this reversal of processes enables the gold to become substantially worked into the object rather than simply added as a decorative highlight.
Keum Boo or ‘attached gold’ is an ancient Korean gilding technique used to apply thin sheets of gold to silver, to make silver-gilt. This process is repeated a number of times until the surface is ready to receive the 24ct gold foil. Each piece of gold foil is cut by hand and placed on the silver, then with a controlled heat the foil is fused to the silver.
If are interested in a special commission for yourself or as a gift, we would be delighted to discuss further details, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
2020
Goldsmiths’ Fair 22 – 27 September | 29 Sept – 4 October
2019
Goldsmiths’ Fair 24 – 29 September | 1 – 6 October
2018
Goldsmiths’ Fair, 25 Sept – 7 October | 3-7 October 2018
Excellence Made
2017
RHS Wisley – May 2017
The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey – June 2017
Goldsmiths’ Fair, 26 Sept-1 October | 3-8 October 2017, London
Celebration of the best established and emerging British goldsmithing and silversmithing talent
Desire
Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair, 3rd – 5th March 2017
Ruthin Craft Centre Showcase Award – 2017
2015
Primavera – 10 King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft fair, Manchester
Desire, Winchester
Desire, Chelsea
2016
Summer Exhibition, Gallery Nine, Bath
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Manchester
Handmade in Britain, Chelsea
All images © Samuel Waterhouse
