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Author	Topic: rokesley shop
vathek Posts: 966 Registered: Jun 99	posted 06-30-1999 12:10 PM I'm trying to find info re: the Rokesley shop in Cleveland ca. 1907. Made arts and crafts and art nouveau jewelry. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-03-1999 04:14 PM The only references to The Rokesley Shop seem to be found in publications by Ralph & Terry Kovel. Kovels' American Silver Marks page 319: Rokesley Shop (circa 1907-1916) Cleveland, Ohio Rorimer-Brooks Studios Louis Rorimer Mary Blakeslee Ruth Smedley Carolyn Hadley (Vinson) The Kovels'' Price Guides also make reference to Rokesley jewelry: Pin Bar, Center Baroque Pearl, Sea Plants, Sterling, Rokesley Shop, 2 3/4 In. (1996 price guide). Pendant Pink Freesia Shape, Sterling Chain, Art Nouveau, Rokesley, 7 � In. (1998 price guide). Pin Bar, Sterling, Baroque Pearl, Floral Around, Enameled, Rokesley, 5/8 x 2 In. (1998 price guide). Pin Enameled Peacock Feather Eyes, Sterling Silver, Rokesley, 1 3/8 x 2 In. (1998 price guide). I did find an 13th century reference to a Gregory Rokesley, chief assay master of the king's mints, and mayor of London in the year 1275. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-07-1999 02:19 PM Richard Campanelli send me an e-mail with the following interesting observation: I can see the name ROKESLEY was derived from the owners: ROrimer BlaKESlee HadLEY. IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 07-08-1999 10:23 PM The Catalogue of the Cleveland Museum of Art displays a tea set from the Rokesley Shop, donated by Louis Rorimer's daughter. They give the working dates of the shop as ca. 1904 to ca. 1920. One correction to Kovel; the one woman's name was Carolyn Hadlow (Vinson), not Carolyn Hadley. The LEY must come from Ruth Smedley! Rorimer was originally an instructor at the Cleveland School of Art, and Blakeslee, Smedley and Hadlow probably started out as his students. IP: Logged
vathek Posts: 966 Registered: Jun 99	posted 07-09-1999 12:02 PM Brent: Thanks for the Rokesley info - I now have at least a profile of the shop. Richard C. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 07-25-1999 09:26 AM From a recent eBay sale: IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 06-11-2011 03:14 PM The Rokesley Shop was started by Louis Rorheimer in Cleveland sometime around 1904 (according to Leslie Marting's article in Silver Magazine) or 1907 (as reported by Leslie A. Piña in LOUIS RORIMER / A Man of Style). Rorheimer later changed his name to Rorimer because of anti-German sentiments during WWI. The name Rokesley was formed from the first two letters of his name along with parts of the names of two former students of his who worked at the shop -- Mary Blakeslee and Ruth Smedley. It lasted only until 1916 (Piña) or 1920 (Marting). The Rokesley Shop produced fine handmade items in copper, brass, silver, and gold. According to Piña: "Rorimer's first priority in any art form was beauty and harmony, so the effect of copper or brass, such as that used by the Rokesley Shop, could be as pleasing as that of silver or gold. While addressing the National Council of Jewish Women at their Autumn Social in 1903, he said, 'The intrinsic value of an article has nothing to do with its value as an ornament.'" The copper desk set shown here is nicely made, with handsome repoussé work and the addition of freeform bezel-set enamel plaques: IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 06-11-2011 03:15 PM Rokesley marks on the above set: Letter holder Tray Inkwell IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 06-11-2011 05:32 PM These are truly incredible and wonderful examples of the Shop's capabilities. Thank you for sharing these. Fred IP: Logged

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