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A Smith is a Smith or a Smith ???

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Author	Topic: A Smith is a Smith or a Smith ???
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-14-2004 06:02 PM A Smith is a Smith or a Smith ??? I believe that calling someone a silversmith, goldsmith or metalsmith is a good start. It is sort of like calling someone Doctor. Just because someone is entitled to be called doctor it doesn't tell you all that you need to know. Are they a Phd. or MD? What type MD are they and what is their specialty, etc., etc.?? I think it is the same for smiths except I don't think there are well understood classifications or I am not aware of any professional or licensing classifications. I do know there are organizations like SNAG or SAS but I am not aware of any smith definitions or standards or classifications by them. Just off the top of my head I suppose I could start classifying the few smiths I do know into: Silversmith, Goldsmith, Coppersmith, etc. This based purely on the metal/media they work in. Jewelry or Flatware or Holloware industrial smiths. Those that work in industry making the mechanized mass produced jewelry, flatware or holloware. Student, hobbyist, amateur smiths. Those who have the basic tools and use those tools for personal expression or repairs or are just beginning to learn/explore the craft. Simple repairs or engraving smiths. Someone with enough skill to hang out a shingle and most often experience to do simple repairs and fixes very well. Artisan smiths. These are persons who create one of a kind �works of art�; which can be jewelry, flatware, holloware or sculpture. Their work is most often seen in museums, galleries or on exhibition. Conservator smith. This smith has been trained in and has the experience, the tools and understanding of the long forgotten antique silversmith's craft. They have the knowledge and experience to flawlessly use both the old world or new world techniques to repair or recreate anything. ----------------------------------- Following addition was suggested by middletom (see post of 09-14-2004 08:16 PM (below)): School trained and not school trained. I've found a distinct caste system with those not being school trained, usually, though not always, being considered of lesser skill. I'm writing of silversmiths, now. I don't know if this applies to other metal fields. ----------------------------------- I suppose a smith could be a blend of any of the above. I suppose the above could be better stated and refined. I suppose there are other classifications or categories. For example, how would you describe the few remaining excellent ONC smiths? Etc.etc. I just thought this might make for some interesting discussion. So I hope you will share your thoughts. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 09-14-2004 06:47 PM An excellent topic for discussion. You nailed most of those folks who describe themselves as smiths. There is no official guild here in the States so anyone who wishes can call himself a silversmith, etc.... the Society of American Silversmiths "SAS" has made a start to organize those who have proven their proficiency in smithing and there are other trade organizations that try to set standards. The ONC smiths have my highest admiration for their ability to consitently produce a quality item time after time by hand and each the same as the previous in the same pattern. A true skill. Fred IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 09-14-2004 08:16 PM One way to describe ONC smiths is tired. But, that's another story. Thank you , Fred, for your kind remarks about us. And you are right. Being able to consistantly make items that look very much alike with the handwrought process is one of the most difficult aspects. Several years ago there was a chaser with a shop in Portsmouth, N.H.; I stumbled upon him one day and was admiring his work. He mentioned a commission he had had for several baby spoons,and that was the first time he had ever tried to make a number of pieces that looked the same. There was a chased animal handle and a round dapped bowl, and only the ones after the third one looked alike, so he had to go back and remake the first three to look like the remaining five. He told me that being consistant was one of the most difficult things he had ever done. If I might, Scott, from my experience of thirty-three years, add another catagory. School trained and not school trained. I've found a distinct caste system with those not being school trained, usually, though not always, being considered of lesser skill. I'm writing of silversmiths, now. I don't know if this applies to other metal fields. IP: Logged
agleopar Posts: 850 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 09-17-2004 09:31 PM Scott Martin's post has made a few years learning silversmithing in London and seeing the "Trade" vs "Art" as an outsider (American), seem to be the reverse of US smiths bias. The Trade is any shop where you learn as an apprentice, vs art school trained. Trade smiths do not hold art school smiths in very high esteem. Mainly because they tend not to be able to produce in an efficient manner. Conversely the art crowd look down on the trade as making only unoriginal designs. These are generalizations but sum up the feeling. It seemed to me that both groups were capable of some of the best work in the world and the worst! A quick thought on making multiples. For me to make a one off and then copy that is much harder than making 12 at the same time. The 12 are worked in synch and progress evenly. IP: Logged
middletom Posts: 467 Registered: May 2004	posted 09-18-2004 01:29 PM Agleopar, your observations are very much on target, especially the latter. Many have been the times an ONC customer has wanted one piece made to personal taste, then six months later saying,"I've decided I want ten more like it." Matching that original is much more dificult than doing all at the same time. IP: Logged

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