Press release
The English silver designer, Omar Ramsden, was born in Sheffield in 1873. Ramsden apprenticed from a young age and in 1888 he began a distinguished career at the Sheffield School of Art, winning a string of awards and it was here that he met his future business partner Alwyn Carr.
Both Ramsden and Carr went on to study at the Royal College of Art in London and in 1898 they registered their first mark at Goldsmiths Hall in London, thus embarking on a partnership which would last until just after the War.
Their aim was to produce fine 'art' silver. They adhered to an international design philosophy that originated in England: The Arts and Crafts movement. The philosophy originated as a result of a revolt against styles that were developed by machine production and therefore encouraged traditional craftsmanship. The goal was to highlight the quality of the materials used whilst making only simple forms with medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration.
In 1919, their partnership came to an end. Ramsden, however, continued to create traditional silverware but emphasised the hand wrought appearance further in order to create more unique and bespoke looking objects. Ramsden continued working until his death in 1939 and is considered one of the most successful silversmiths of his generation.
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