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© Bryony Knox
© James Robertson
© All rights reserved
© Rachel Hein
© Rachel Hein

Bryony Knox

  • Silversmith
  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • Master Artisan
Bryony Knox Silversmith
© Rachel Hein

Making people smile with silver

  • • Bryony spent time as artist-in-residence at Edinburgh Zoo
  • • Her Kenyan childhood inspires her work now
  • • She has made work for HRH Princess Anne and JK Rowling

Hundreds of years ago, Bryony Knox’s family were Huguenot silversmiths and it is obvious that a “little bit of inspiration has come down through the generations” to reach her. Based on a love of storytelling, movement and colour, her designs combine figurative sculpture, functionality and glamour, and each individual piece made in her Leith studio – from sophisticated vessels to decanters and boxes – is embellished using the techniques of repoussé and chasing. Spending part of her childhood in Kenya influenced her desire to use forms inspired by exotic animals and birds, while her experience as artist-in-residence at Edinburgh Zoo prompted her to produce vessels where contemporary chased silver is combined with colourful glass.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Shannon Tofts
  • © Jeremy Johns
  • © Shannon Tofts
  • © Shannon Tofts
  • © Shannon Tofts
Photo: © Shannon Tofts
A Flamboyance of Flamingos

During her time as Silversmith in Residence at Edinburgh Zoo, Bryony sketched the flamingos that were the inspiration behind these sculptural bud vases. Each bird has a slightly different personality, which Bryony aimed to capture in silver. She could not resist the combination of silver with the pink glass (blown by Loco Glass, Cirencester).

Photo: © Jeremy Johns
Flamingo Bowl with Kinetic Wings

This pink glass bowl was commissioned as a companion piece to Bryony’s Pelican Rosebowl. The design was inspired by sleeping flamingos and the way they rest their heads. The wings are articulated and can be unfurled to act as a lid. The sculpture is formed from sheet silver using a combination of repoussé and chasing. Bryony enjoyed making such a challenging and sculptural piece.

Height 35 cm
Diameter 35 cm

Photo: © Shannon Tofts
Hoopoe Sun Worshiper

The entire piece, one of a limited edition of five, was made using the ancient techniques of chasing and repoussé, where the metal is embossed and detailed with small steel tools. Its inspiration was the wonderful Hoopoe Bird and the way it spreads its wings to bask in the sun. The feathers are articulated and can be unfurled to act as a lid. The distinctive black and white markings of the feathers have been enhanced using oxidised and plain silver.

Height 35 cm
Diameter 25 cm

Photo: © Shannon Tofts
Light as a Feather tumbler

The surface of this silver tumbler was carefully decorated with the image of a feather chased onto the surface and the gilded interior. Bryony used a small steel tool and hammer to achieve this effect.

Height 10 cm
Diameter 9 cm

Photo: © Shannon Tofts
Pelican Rose Bowl

This intricate vase was inspired by birds that Bryony sketched during her time as Silversmith in Residence at Edinburgh Zoo. The beak is hinged and can open to reveal a small, wriggling, articulated fish, which can be removed and worn as a pendant. Bryony enjoys making pieces with kinetic elements that invite the onlooker to interact with the sculpture. The peach pink glass was blown to Bryony’s design by Loco Glass in Cirencester.

Height 45 cm
Diameter 40 cm

Enjoy an experience with Bryony Knox

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