by Lydia Wood
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22 Aug, 2023
The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction, almost a protest, against the industrialisation and mass production seen during the Victorian era. It promoted traditional craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials. It emphasised the value of handmade objects and sought to revive traditional techniques and aesthetics. Arts and Crafts showcased simplicity, honesty, and functionality, with an emphasis on solid construction and natural materials. One of the most well known Arts and Crafts manufacturers, Shapland and Petter, were actually based very locally in Barnstaple and I often see their pieces crop up. Newlyn Copper is another well known Arts and Crafts associate, named after the town in West Cornwall where it was made. The quality and attractiveness of the designs has made items by these makers very sought after and there are collectors all over the country for these local items. I come across a wide range of Newlyn Copper items including trays, bowls, mirrors and plates. This copper charger was made by John Pearson of the Newlyn School. The copper has been decorated in a repoussé style which refers to the method of shaping the metal by hammering from reverse to push through a design onto the front. In the late 1800s the income from the fishing industry in Cornwall was unreliable and due to bad weather and seasonable fluctuations there were large periods when the fishermen were unable to work. The local craftsmen in Newlyn set about training the unemployed fisherman to produce items from copper. This new skill not only gave them an income but was also said to have kept them out of trouble! You’ll often see Newlyn pieces with a nautical theme featuring fish or boats which reflected the history and roots of the fishing town and the people who made them.