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Explore Artisans Museums & Galleries Experience Itineraries About
©Vicki Ambery-Smith
©Paul Read
©Paul Read
© All rights reserved
©Vicki Ambery-Smith

Vicki Ambery-Smith

Vicki Ambery-Smith Silversmith
Contact
English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+44 7855362883
©Paul Read

Precious buildings

  • • Vicki creates finely detailed silverware inspired by architecture
  • • All her jewellery is designed to be worn comfortably
  • • She has exhibited internationally for over 20 years

Vicki Ambery-Smith creates delicate and ornate small-scale jewellery and boxes inspired by real and imaginary buildings. “I call myself a silversmith, but people assume I make jewellery made from silver. Jewellery is for wearing. Silversmithing refers to objects.” Especially attracted to the structural clarity and minimal ornament of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, she also uses forms reminiscent of the modernist structures of Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. “After Art School I made my first ring based on a Baroque church. This was the beginning of my career on this architectural theme.” Her finely detailed silverwork can be seen in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Scottish Museum, East Midlands Arts, Houston University, Texas and many others.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Vicki Ambery-Smith
  • © Vicki Ambery-Smith
  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
  • ©All rights reserved
Photo: © Vicki Ambery-Smith
Siena Cathedral condiment set

Based on the striking 13th-century striped bell tower of Siena Cathedral, these three boxes stack together to make a vertical condiment set. The stripes were etched onto the silver sheet before construction, then oxidised after completion to define the stripes.

Length 4.5 cm
Width 4.5 cm
Height 15.5 cm

Photo: © Vicki Ambery-Smith
Two Pigeonniers condiments

These two small boxes would grace any dinner table. They are inspired by 18th-century pigeon houses of south-west France. Constructed from scored and folded hallmarked sterling silver sheet. The lined design was etched on the silver prior to folding. The windows of the left-hand box are all hand cut. The roof lifts off as a lid to reveal a bright yellow gold interior.

Height 13 cm
Width 5.5 cm
Depth 5.5 cm

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Radcliffe Camera brooch

Based on the iconic Radliffe Camera in the centre of Oxford, this brooch is made with the use of trompe-l'oeil and false perspectives so that it appears round but is in fact flat and only 16mm deep.

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Globe Theatre brooch

Based on the reconstructed Elizabethan theatre on the South Bank of the Thames, this brooch shows the outside elevation on the right with a cross section revealing the stage and seating. It is one of a limited edition of six pieces.

Photo: ©All rights reserved
Chipping Campden ring

This ring was commissioned by The Court Barn Museum and is inspired by the medieval Cotswold town of Chipping Campden in central England. It includes the east banqueting hall, the old covered market in the middle, a gate house and St James’ church tower.

Enjoy an experience with Vicki Ambery-Smith

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