Merchants Marks Collection

The Merchants Marks Collaboration with Darren Leader Studio, who has been researching these fascinating geometric forms. Some more elaborate than others, some very minimal in their form. While they are hundreds of years old they look so modern and current.

Merchants marks were essentially the tag of merchant traders and artisans from 14th - 16th century, a way of signing their work before the masses could read and write.

I’ve taken a handful of these marks and used them to boldly adorn some silver boxes and pinch pots. Much like an engraved gin beaker I made a few years ago rather than placing the marks solely on the lid or the side, I’ve draped them across both. I just love these designs. The pinch pots are 5cm and 3cm wide respectively, and the boxes 6cm, 5cm and 3.5cm tall.

In silversmithing and jewellery we have our sponsors/makers mark, which is unique to each maker and registered y an assay office. It is impressed into our work so it can always be traced back to us, by the assay office who only strike the marks onto the metal as part of a hallmark which guarantees the quality of the gold and silver used.

Photo 5, from left to right: Volltner Engersz, Merchant 1598 Oxford shallow pinch pot

William Henuton Merchant, Norwich 1390 tall box

Jeremy Poticary, Clothier, 1596 Stockton, Wiltshire medium box

John Wryght, Alderman, Norwich 1424 small box

Peter Vischer, Sculptor, c1500 Nuremberg deep pinch pot

Richard Clement, Tanner, Norwich 1517 narrow pinch pot

Robert Asgar, Adlerman , St Lawrence, Norwich 1424 deep pinch pot

Richard Evense, Fuller, 1586, narrow pinch pot

For more information about these marks please read my journal here