Information Regarding Ramsden & Carr

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A napkin-ring by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, assayed at London in 1917:








Rn. & Cr. - London - 1917

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A napkin-ring by Omar Ramsden, assayed at London in 1918:








OR - London - 1918

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An example of the mark of Alwyn Carr:


A˙C - London - 1927

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The old Public Hall, East Grinstead, has been has been purchased for business premises and altered and partially rebuilt, with a new frontage, for that purpose. ........... A feature in the front is the sign, designed and made in the studio of Messrs. Ramsden & Carr, of London; the sign board is of dark oxidised beaten brass on a frame of wrought iron, the letters being of aluminium; with four panels of enamel work varying in tone from green to silver blue. The supporting bracket and ornaments are in dark solid hammered brass. The gates at the entrance and the lettering over the shop front were carried out by the same firm.

Source: The Builder - 22nd September 1900

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A napkin-ring by Omar Ramsden, assayed at London in 1928:






OR - London - 1928

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A silver bowl and stand by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, made for the daughter of the Bishop of Rochester:



This image was published in 1905.

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A silver cup and cover by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, made for a college at Lahore, India:



This image was published in 1905.

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A bowl by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, assayed at London in 1902:














Rn. & Cr. - London - 1902 - RAMSDEN & CARR

'LIFE LIKE A RIVER RUNS ALONG IN WINDING INTERRUPTED SONG'

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A silver salt, pepper, and mustard stand by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr:



This image was published in 1905.

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MEMORIAL TO MOTHER

ART GIFT TO CITY CHURCH



A Sheffield silversmith of international fame, Mr. Omar Ramsden, has presented sacred vessels to St. Cecilla's Church, Parson Cross, which is to be dedicated by the Bishop of Sheffield on Saturday.

The vessels were designed and made by Mr. Ramsden himself, and he has presented them in memory of his mother.

Mr. Ramsden, who was born in Sheffield in 1873, now lives in London. He spent seven years of his childhood in America, and on returning to the City was apprenticed to a firm of silversmiths and attended the School of Art. He won many prizes, and left Sheffield in 1897 to study in Italy.

In 1914 he was appointed by the Board of Education as an examiner of metalwork, gold and silver work, and jewellery for the National Competition.

"UGLY" F.A. CUP

He designed Sheffield's mace, and worked in conjunction with another Sheffield art metal worker, Mr. A.C. Ellison Carr.

The silver cup presented by the judges of the Permanent Court of International Justice at The Hague to Princess Juliana in 1937 was Mr. Ramsden's work, as was the oak and silver ark presented by Sir Charles Barrie to the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights last year.

Other works of Mr. Ramsden have been objects of royal gifts.

In 1928, when he lectured on modern silverware, Mr. Ramsden said that in this country we were behind in the matter of design, and instanced the Football Association Cup.

"Could it be any worse?" he asked. "It seems to me to be at the limit of ugliness."

Source: The Star - 23rd March 1939

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A MACE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

The retiring Vice-Chancellor, Sir Henry Roscoe, has presented to the University a mace, designed upon ancient examples with certain modern evolutions. It is the work of Messrs. Ramsden and Carr, of Battersea, and is made entirely of hand-beaten, wrought, and repousse silver, gilt, with panels of translucent champleve enamel. The head is surmounted by a royal crown, the orb of which is of lapis lazuli, guarded by protecting bands of wrought metal. Inside the crown are the Royal Arms with the letters “ E.R. VII.” Below the crown are figures kneeling and holding shields, on which are portrayed the arms and badge of the University, and the dates of its foundation (1836) and its reorganization (1900). These kneeling figures further illustrate the triumph of light and education over darkness and ignorance, represented by a knot of struggling figures, around which swirl bands of wrought metal, typifying the rush and whirl of the present day. The shaft is of great length, divided into five parts by knots, and is overlaid with cables of twisted silver. At the foot, knob letters set forth the gift of the mace. The finial is completed by a solid spike for resting on the floor. The mace when not in use in enclosed in an open box. It was officially employed for the first time at the recent presentation for degrees, when it was carried in the Chancellor’s procession, and reposed before him during the presentation ceremony.

Source: The British Medical Journal - 24th May 1902

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NOTED GOLDSMITH DEAD

Mr. Omar Ramsden, of Seymour Walk, London, who, in 1937, made a mazer bowl, described as one of the world's outstanding works in gold, to mark the fact that Britain had three Kings in 12 months, has died aged 66, it was announced to-day.

Around the bowl are the heads in gold of King George V. and Queen Mary, Edward VIII., George VI. and Queen Elizabeth and the two Princesses.

He also made the silver Peace Bowl given by an anonymous donor to the Prime Minister to commemorate the Munich Agreement. Mr. Ramsden was a native of Sheffield. He spent his childhood abroad but returned to Britain in his early youth and devoted himself to the revival of the art of the English ceremonial goldsmith.

Source: Evening Telegraph and Post - 14th August 1939

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TWO SILVERSMITHS

Mr. Omar Ramsden and Mr. Alwyn Carr are now holding their annual exhibition at St. Dunstan's Studio, Seymour-place, Fulham-road, S.W.; and those who care for genuine silversmith's work, wrought with care for the use to which it is to be put, and with due consideration for the beauty of the material used, will do well to pay a visit to the collection. These artists have pursued a quiet path, which has led to a considerable success. In ecclesiastical art especially they have an enviable reputation, which will not be diminished by the excellent seals now shown, made for the Bishops of Winchester and Oxford. The former displays the Bishop standing within a canopy similar in style to the architecture of his cathedral - a very able piece of composition, and admirably executed. An elaborate book-cover in silver encloses an address presented to the Bishop of Winchester by the Diocese of Southwark on his translation, and one must admire the skill with which the surface, while cunningly wrought with heraldic and other ornamentation, has been kept smooth and pleasant to the hand. A "Tobacco Box" in wrought and repoussé silver is storiated - as the cataloguers would say - with scenes from Chaucer's "Man of Lawe." The respective groups are arranged with great skill and taste, and are notable examples of what may be fairly be called sculpture in silver. A "Rose-water Dish" in the same material, with a rondel representing Peace, should also be mentioned. Messrs. Ramsden and Carr have also done a series of four enamelled caskets, representing scenes in the romance of English history - "Richard Cɶur de Lion," "Henry V. Sailing for Agincourt," " Sir Walter Raleigh," and another to illustrate Mr. Kipling's lines, "But My English Roses." These show a marked genius for the decorative use of enamel; and the sea and ships of various types are developed into admirable ornaments. Special attention is merited by the spoons and forks, a complete tea-service, candlesticks, flower-vases, and other table furniture in silver, exhibited. The workmanship of these is substantial, and the form based on sound principles. A case of jewellery also has a number of beautiful items, the pendants being particularly good.

Source: The Westminster Gazette - 13th December 1911

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A coffee set in beaten silver by Omar Ramsden:



This image was published in 1922.

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A silver-gilt jewelled monstrance with Limoges enamelled plaques, the front set with brilliants and pearls, for Westminster Cathedral, by Omar Ramsden:



This image was published in 1955.

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Omar Ramsden - London - 1929

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