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© Jesse Wild - Courtesy of Homes and Antiques
© Jesse Wild - Courtesy of Homes and Antiques
© Jesse Wild - Courtesy of Homes and Antiques
© Samuel Waterhouse

Samuel Waterhouse

  • Silversmith
  • Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Rising Star
Samuel Waterhouse Silversmith
© Jesse Wild - Courtesy of Homes and Antiques

Adapting antiquity

  • • Samuel is entirely self-taught
  • • He exhibits at the reputable Goldsmiths’ Fair
  • • He has a flair for creating gold alloys in various colours

Samuel Waterhouse’s approach to making has been unique from the start. While studying English literature, he began silversmithing by learning from two books and a lot of experimentation. “I have never learned from a master, and enjoy the process of teaching myself, as occasionally I believe that this can enable a different approach to making,” he says. From his first silver bangle made for a girlfriend, Samuel has explored and adapted the ancient Korean technique Keum Boo, which involves fusing gold to silver. He also often practises the old technique of raising, by which silver sheet metal can be shaped. In recent years, his work has been shown at Goldsmiths’ Fair in London as part of its collection, which has been Samuel’s quality benchmark since day one.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Samuel Waterhouse
  • © Samuel Waterhouse
  • © Samuel Waterhouse
  • © Samuel Waterhouse
  • © Samuel Waterhouse
Photo: © Samuel Waterhouse
Beaded bracelet

The beads of this bracelet, handmade from sterling silver, fine silver and gold, are arranged in a satisfying colour pattern. The bracelet has a sliding bar clasp decorated with inlaid lapis lazuli and two safety catches. The beads and the clasp have been finished with a technique called ‘white baking’, turning the surface of the silver a pure, matt, white colour. The beads are strung on thin steel rope.

Length 17.5 cm
Width 2.5 cm
Height 0.38 cm

Photo: © Samuel Waterhouse
Sun vase

This decorative vase has been hand raised by Samuel Waterhouse in three parts: the main cylindrical body which tapers slightly as it rises, a thin neck, and lastly a head in the shape of a shallow bowl. Each section is decorated with a sun pattern of white, green and fine gold, using an adaptation of the Korean technique Keum Boo. Other sections have been ‘white baked’, where the silver takes on a matt white colour, creating a pleasing contrast.

Height 17.9 cm
Diameter 7.9 cm

Photo: © Samuel Waterhouse
Watercolour vase

This vase is hand raised from an extremely thick piece of metal, meaning that the outside and inside profile do not match each other and consequently the vase is very heavy, weighing 802g. Inside, the vase is decorated with a watercolour pattern in yellow, green and fine gold using an adaptation of the Korean technique Keum Boo. The exposed silver has been oxidised using a sulphuric solution in order to create a black exterior.

Height 4.8 cm
Diameter 11 cm

Photo: © Samuel Waterhouse
Sun dish

This dish has been hand raised in two parts and decorated with a simple pattern using an adaptation of the Korean technique Keum Boo. The main body, placed on a golden foot, is decorated with a sun pattern of white, green and fine gold. The form of the dish sharply turns upwards and angles out into a wide rim, continuing the sun pattern. The whole piece has been ‘white baked’, causing the silver to take on a matt white colour.

Height 3.3 cm
Diameter 11.8 cm

Photo: © Samuel Waterhouse
Watercolour bowl

This bowl, which appears to be ceramic, is actually raised from an extremely thick piece of metal, meaning that the outside and inside profile do not match each other and consequently the vase weighs a heavy 1.1kg. The inside of the bowl is decorated with a watercolour pattern comprised of white green and fine gold. The exposed silver base of the bowl has been oxidised using a sulphuric solution, creating a dramatic black contrast.

Height 5.5 cm
Diameter 13.3 cm

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